At its peak the US Navy had almost 6500 personnel stationed in Brisbane during 1944. Of these 685 were commissioned officers.
Brisbane offered few entertainment venues for visiting or stationed officers, and a decision was made by the Commander Service Force, Seventh Fleet to construct an Officers Mess.
Through the Australian Army Hiring Service, the USN acquired vacant riverside land from the Brisbane City Council, taking possession on 4 November 1943. Due to its low-lying nature the land could not be built on and a considerable amount of fill was placed by the riverside to enable a graded building pad. Two 40′ x 100′ Stran Steel buildings were erected on the site and joined by a timber-frame foyer. it featured an unusual design that incorporated the dual ‘igloo’ structures.
The Mess was staffed by three US Navy personnel and 17 civilians. Facilities included two 35mm film projectors and a projection booth. The site was tastefully landscaped and quickly became a wartime Brisbane showplace. The US Navy ceased activities at the property on 23 June 1945.
After the war in 1946 the Brisbane City Council granted a 30-year lease to the RLSSA of the former United States Navy site. The Limbless Soldiers Bowling Club was officially opened in 1948 by the Queensland branch of the Returned Limbless Sailors and Soldiers Association (RLSSA) to provide recreational facilities for returned disabled servicemen to socialise and relax along the banks of the Brisbane. eventually to become known as the ‘Riverside Ballroom’.
The Limbless Soldiers Bowling Club was officially opened in 1948 by the Queensland branch of the Returned Limbless Sailors and Soldiers Association (RLSSA) to provide recreational facilities for returned disabled servicemen. The first day of play was in December 1948.
In the early 1950s the clubhouse building, comprising two ex-army huts, was relocated from Camp Columbia, the United States 6th Army headquarters at Wacol during the Second World War.
The Limbless Soldiers Bowling Club was later renamed the Merthyr Bowls Club. In 1978 the lease was transferred from the RLSSA to the RSL. The RSL, which continues to lease the land from Council, subleases the facilities to the Merthyr Bowls Club.
(BCC, Merthyr Bowls Club, NLA, Queensland Government – based on info from Gary Collett). Picture with thanks to Peter Dunn’s “Australia @ War” at www.ozatwar.com
