Introduction

In 1942, the Gan Gan military camp was built as an amphibious training centre by the United States military at Port Stephens. It was part of the Joint Overseas Operational Training School (JOOTS) facility established in conjunction with HMAS Assault, to train both Australian and American troops in land/sea warfare.

Following the withdrawal of the United States military from the Port Stephens area after the War, the Gan Gan site was maintained by the Australian Army and used extensively in the post war period as a training facility.

It was also available to other groups, such as school cadets and university students, for training exercises.

Seven papers of the Gan Gan post-war history are published on this website.

This paper is a story, in photos, of the training camp for the 15th Northern Lancers at Gan Gan in February and March 1949.

Links to the other six papers are found at the end of this document.

15th Northern Lancers at Gan Gan in February/March 1949 – A Photo Story

More than 150 officers and troops from the 15th Northern Lancers went into a two-week camp at Gan Gan from 21 February to 6 March 1949, for training in the use of tanks, landing vehicles and other amphibious equipment. This is a story of the camp as told by a series of photos.

The Newcastle Sun 21 February 1949, page 4, published the following four photos of the troops leaving for camp:

Glum faces on the rainy day before the troops left Fort Scratchley, Newcastle.

Troops of the 15th Northern Rivers Lancers leaving Fort Scratchley, Newcastle, yesterday for two weeks’ camp at Gan Gan.

No. 1 Troop 15th Northern Rivers Lancers preparing for inspection before moving out for camp at Gan Gan.

Officer-in-charge of ‘A’ Squadron (Major E. H. Humphries) carries out inspection and adjusts dress of L/Cpl. Shields (No. 1 Troop).

The Newcastle Sun of 3 March 1949, page 1, published the following two photos:

Returning from an inspection of the target area at Gan Gan, where troops of the Northern Rivers Lancers took part today in a practice shoot are Brigadier D. Macarthur Onslow (C.O. 1 Armored Brigade), Major E. A. Humphries (O.C. of the unit), Lieut. Gen. S. F. Rowell (Vice-chief of the General Staff), and Capt. V. J. Sharpe (O.C. Wireless Training Wing).

One of the tracked landing vehicles, with which the Northern Rivers Lancers is equipped, returning to camp after beach exercises.

The Newcastle Sun of 4 March 1949, page 5, published three the following photos:

The General inspecting the camp in company with Major E. A. Humphries, commanding officer.

Troopers of Northern Rivers Lancers during pistol training exercises (from left) Tpr. R. Burrows, Sgt. I. Kirsopp and Tprs. J. Ruston and V. Pyke.

Headquarters wireless link with the tanks, L./CpL J. Shields, Lieut. G. Beveridge, Tpr. M. Robards

The Newcastle Library holds the following photos of the 15th Lancers camp (several of the photos carry no descriptions):

Vice Chief of the General Staff Liuetenant General Sydney F. Rowell on a tracked amphibious lending vehicle at Gan Gan, 3 March 1949

Soldiers in front of the headquarters, Northern Rivers Lancers Squadron at Gan Gan, 3 March 1949

The above location as it presently looks, after all buildings were demolished [Author photo, July 2022]

Links to the Six Other Papers of Post-War Activities at the Gan Gan Military Camp are as follows:

Post War Military Camp at Gan Gan – an Overview

Military Training Camp at Gan Gan – February 1951

School Cadets at Gan Gan Military Camp – April 1951

Army Commando Training Exercises at Gan Gan – 1953 and 1955

First Army Camp for Women of the Citizen Military Forces (CMF) at Gan Gan – April 1954

University Students at the Gan Gan Military Camp – 1950 and 1962

Researched and compiled by Kevin McGuinness

July 2022