Rockhampton is a very important part of many young American servicemen who served in the 41st Infantry Division. The Division was moved to Rockhampton from Seymour, Victoria, in July of 1942. The 41st remained in Rockhampton until MacArthur began his return to the Philippines in March 1944. More on Rockhampton later.
While in Rockhampton in October of 2001 my wife and I had the distinct pleasure of meeting a gentleman named Joe Bynam. Joe is the Commissioner of the Central Queensland Military and Artefact Museum Association Inc. currently located just several blocks from the Fitzroy River.
Joe was kind enough to spend several hours of his day with us going through maps with regards to the location of various 41st Division units located in the Rockhampton area.
Joe and his colleagues have a very impressive museum that covers Australia's conflicts from the Boer War to the present. The museum has an excellent display of weapons, medals, badges and insignia, helmets, uniforms, a Yank Jeep from WWII, and maps, etc.
What is significant, however, is the museum is dedicating a small segment to the 41st Infantry Division. The 41st has its own room with several uniforms and other memorabilia. They want to add to the 41st Division part of the museum but, as is usually the case with museums, funding can be problamatic. Having seen what they have done thus far, I can guarantee that Joe and his colleagues will do a magnificient job with regards to the 41st Division. If anyone wishes to donate to the museum, specific to the 41st Infantry Division, either via a monetary donation or an artefact, do not hesitate to contact the museum. Address details are below.
Central Queensland Military and Artefact Museum Association Inc.
156 Bolsover Street
P.O. Box 900
Rockhampton, QLD 4700
Australia
You can send an email to Joe Bynam at the museum
The map that follows is one that Joe copied for me and shows the location of various units of the 41st Infantry Division while at Rockhampton.
