Ipswich Drill Hall

Below is the wording from the interpretive sign on the Training Depot site:

Ipswich Training Depot

"In early 1860, only a few months after Queensland's separation from New South Wales, two companies of volunteer infantry and one company of mounted rifles were raised, under the command of the Governor of Queensland, Sir George Ferguson Bowen. The Ipswich Police Magistrate, Colonel Charles Gray established the Ipswich Company of local volunteer riflemen as the first Defence force in Queensland. Weapons and ammunition were provided by the Colonial government. The establishment of these forces saw the construction of drill halls. These purpose built halls enabled soldiers to practice their drills during all weather, familiarising themselves with their weapons, battle formations and fostering a sense of teamwork and discipline.

The 'new drill shed' (Ipswich Drill Hall) and parade ground was officially opened on 14 August 1891. This included a frill shed, gun shed, harness room, the armouries and an office, all of which still form part of the current Drill Hall building. Within a decade of the Drill Hall opening, a caretaker's cottage had been constructed, which no longer exists. The perils of 19th century army drills are illustrated in this article about the accidental death of a soldier in The Queenslander newspaper from 1862. [1] [2].

By the time the Wagon Shed was built in 1914 the gun shed and the Drill Hall had been enclosed. A stables building in the south eastern corner of the site (close to where the Girl Guides hut now exists) is shown on other plans by the early 20th century.

Many local Ipswich men enlisted at the Drill Hall for service during the First and Second World Wars. Throughout the Second World War the number of buildings were increased to include a recreation hut, workshops, latrines, shower blocks, huts, carpenters' shop, mass buildings, kitchen building and various stores/sheds.

In 2021 the Ipswich Training Depot was home to the 104 Construction Squadron, 11 Engineer Regiment, the 127 Army Cadet Unit Ipswich and District and the Ipswich Navy Cadets, and continues to be used for military training and activities."