Wartime stories from the Royal Exhibition Building

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Women's Auxiliary Air Force and RAAF Personnel

During World War II, the Royal Exhibition Building (or Exhibition Buildings, as the complex was known then) was occupied by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), as a barracks and training base.

Thousands of Women's Auxiliary Air Force and RAAF personnel passed through its great hall in those war years, making the best of cramped conditions in the once-grand buildings.

When the war ended, some left behind personal belongings, while others carried their memories with them—passing them on to the next generation.

These are some of their stories.

Frank Walsh

Away so long, Frank’s own daughter didn’t recognise him

Dot Quinn and Reg Hubbard

Only war could keep them apart

Dick Thompson

‘You could see the bombs falling out of the aircraft’ 

Norma Hornby

First to receive the news the war was over

Royce Phillips

Fleeting war-time love: Royce & Roma

Alan Walton

‘We would have been better off in tents!’ 

Lindsay Walter

‘The longest four hours I can remember’

Norm White

Driven by duty 

Jack Van Emden

Joined the RAAF with a bicycle and fishing tackle

Howard Baskerville

‘Pure torture for a north Queenslander’

Howard Kellehear

From camp cook to Pacific campaigner

Dick Colbert

An unlucky charmer who found his feet

Dennis Varigos

From digger to druggist

Acknowledgement

This project is made possible thanks to the support of the Victorian Government.

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Victoria State Government
Museums Victoria

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