COLONEL F.R. NORTH
COMMANDER OF "TOWNFORCE"
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEFENCE OF TOWNSVILLE
DURING WW2

visits since 10 April 2001

Colonel Frank North

Colonel Francis Roger North (or Frank North) was the Commander of "TOWNFORCE" (L of C and Base Units Gp) which was one of the 3 Military Forces responsible for the Defence of Townsville during 1942.

He was also the Commander of Townsville Fortress and chaired the Local Planning Committee meetings which were held in Local Defence Headquarters Townsville.

"TOWNFORCE" comprised all Australian units in TOWNSVILLE area other than those on the Order of Battle for the 5 Australian Division. The other two Military Forces resposible for the Defence of Townsville were "MONFORCE" and "CHUNDAFORCE".

Colonel North had his offices inside Castle Hill. I was told this information by a friend whose aunty was a driver for Colonel North during WW2. Bill Stovell who was part of the Combined Operational Intelligence Centre (COIC) located inside Castle Hill at Area Command Headquarters at Green Street, West End told me that he did some work for Col. North. This included painting a coloured map on a wall for Col. North of the roads etc in the Townsville area. Bill said that Col. North's office was located at the top end of Denham Street.

After the war, Colonel F.R. North was one of the founding partners of a well known firm of solicitors in Townsville called "Roberts, Lu & North".

In October 1943, Colonel F.R. North and Wing Commander T.L. Baillieu DFC, welcomed Her Excellency Lady Gowrie (Honorary Air Commodore, WAAAF) to Townsville. Lady Gowrie arrived in a  Lockheed Hudson VIP aircraft. Lady Gowrie, the wife of the Governor-General, was accompanied by her two aides, Lieutenant T. Long AWAS and Squadron Officer M.F. Miller, Deputy Director of WAAAF. They were on a northern tour of inspection.

Famous Australian operatic star, Miss Marjorie Lawrence entertained the troops during a show at the Wintergarden theatre in Townsville. She was introduced to Colonel F.R. North, Commander 1 Australian Lines of Communication Sub Area and his wife after the show. Miss Lawrence was also introduced to Lieutenant Kelly, Captain Miles, and Mr. Lock.

Colonel Francis Roger North (QX50080) and his wife Margaret May North lived at 38 Fulham Road, Pimlico.

Can anyone help me with any more information on Colonel F.R. North?

Defence of Townsville during WW2

Heaps of WW2 books available at Amazon.com

This page first produced 10 April 2001

This page last updated 04 November 2009