The RAE 3 Division Annual camp in 1966 was conducted in the Jamieson, Kevington and Ten Miles area.
8 Fld Squadron under the command of CAPT Bill Oakley was to construct a fire access bridge across the Goulburn River near Kevington. This timber structure was designed by CAPT Oakley and constructed by his Squadron.
The bridge was similar to one that was constructed by 2/8 Field Company RAE in New Guinea during the Second World War. The completed bridge was dedicated to this early Sapper unit and its members. The members of the 2/8 Field Company Association attended the opening ceremony and afterwards enjoyed the hospitality of the Officers Mess.
Apart from the 4 main spars, all timber was won locally by a small gathering party under CAPT Williams. Most of the timber was found to have a rotten heart and had to be rejected. The 2 feet 6 inch diameter sill logs posed the greatest acquisition problem. The first and the best of the two was obtained in Knockwood, and the other, adjacent to the road 2 miles north.
The winning process posed many problems, particularly in the case of the second tree, when from the minute it was felled, cars appeared from both directions on this previously quiet “no traffic” road. Also, during the fall, telephone lines were carried to the ground, luckily without breakage, limbs carefully cut away and the wires restored to their normal position without interrupting the service
The bridge spanned 40M and stood 6M above the river bed. It represented a fine example of a corduroy bridge. The term corduroy reflects the cross bed of timber saplings running from side to side like the grain of corduroy fabric. The bridge provided an all weather access for vehicles up to 10 tonnes, using Sappers Track to access other tracks from Jamieson. But for a fire which “accidentally” destroyed it in the late 1980’s, the bridge would still be here today. (Photos 1 and 2)
Whilst 2 Field Squadron carried out basic training, 10 and 16 Field Squadrons together with the assistance of 29/15 Plant Squadron (Light), constructed the fire access road to Jamieson.
(Photo 3) shows the location of the bridge as it is today, you can still see the leaning tree in both 2 and 3 photos.
On the Mansfield-Woods Point Rd. (Photo 4 and 5). Grid ref; -37.3649167, 146.184200.
This will become part of the History and Heritage trail. (Photo 6)
The 2/8 Field Company Banner mounted for safekeeping (Photo 7) in the RAEAV Collection.
Source; ‘The History of Royal Australian Engineers 3rd Division CMF’
RAEAV
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