RAAF Recruiting train, Gulgong, 1941
Source: Barbara Gurney
The RAAF recruiting train visited Gulgong on 23/24th March 1941 on its way from Sydney to Kandos via Dubbo. A later train visited on 7 August 1941.
1941 - R.A.A.F. RECRUITING TRAINS. - Long Country Tours.
An R.A.A.F. recruiting train will leave Central Station to-day on a three months' recruiting tour, and will visit 21 country centres. A second train will leave on Wednesday, and visit another 24 towns. The first train will cover the western plains, the Riverina, and the central and southern tablelands. The second will visit the North Coast, northern and central tablelands, and north-western slopes.
"Comprising three carriages, each painted light blue, with Air Force cockades at each end, the train bears the words in big lettering on the sides, “R.A.A.F. Recruiting Train.” The special object of the train is to provide full recruiting facilities locally for those who have been unable to journey to Sydney or Newcastle to offer their services. It is, in itself, a complete recruiting unit. An applicant can enter No. 1 car and leave No. 3 a member of the R.A.A.F."
Source: RAAF Recruiting Trains in NSW 1940-1942 (PDF)
1941 - Recruiting Train for Gulgong for Two Days
The R.A.A.F. Recruiting Train will visit Gulgong on Saturday and Sunday, March 22 and 23. The train will arrive at Gulgong about 6.15 p.m. on March 22. Air crew and ground staff are wanted for immediate enrolment. The R.A.A.F. train is a comprehensive and fully staffed recruiting unit. It will give you complete enlistment, including medical examination and trade tests, and if you got through these satisfactorily the train provides home study literature and a reservist's badge. For further particulars apply at the Shire Council Chambers.
THE Gulgong post office is amongst the scores of country telegraph offices throughout Australia that have become training centres for the R.A.A.F., their job being to teach prospective recruits to become efficient wireless operators. Instruction in Gulgong will be given by the postmaster, Mr. A. T. Simpson, who is due to return here about March 1.
Since the introduction of the scheme, many men possessing some knowledge of telegraphy, but not sufficient to be accepted for enlistment, had joined these classes in their home towns and were rapidly acquiring proficiency. The recruiting authorities are making a special appeal for men to join the Air Force as radio operators. Those between 18 and 50 years of age, who are physically fit and who can send and receive 20 words a minute, will be accepted for the ground staff.
IN Gulgong on Saturday evening, 22nd March, the crew of the RAAF. Recruiting Train will be entertained at dinner by members of the Gulgong sub-branch of the R.S.S.A.L.L.A.
It was at a meeting of the sub-branch, left in the hands of the president (Dr R. M. Allport) and treasurer (Mr. A. T. Simpson) to make the necessary arrangements for the dinner. The motion was moved by Mr. J. E. B. Crossley and seconded by Mr. W. R. Buchanan. Mr. A. H. Fortescue moved, and Dr L. Tunley seconded, that the local orchestra be engaged, for the Recruiting Train social to be held in the Town Hall that night. The motion was carried.
1941 - AUGUST RECRUITS
Hector Gudgeon, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. T. Gudgeon, of Stubbo, Gulgong, was the only recruit accepted by the R.A.A.F. recruiting train in Gulgong the other day. C. Rothe, of Tucklan, will be accepted as a fitter mechanic after he undergoes a slight operation.
