Catalina War Memorial Rathmines
Once an air base in World War Two, little remains of RAAF Rathmines apart from some re-purposed buildings and a war memorial dedicated to the crews of Catalina flying boats based here. The beaching ramp where the Catalinas were brought ashore is now a boat launching ramp. Behind the memorial, the bowling club was once the officers’ mess.
History
Formed in 1939, the RAAF Station at Rathmines became one of the major flying boat bases for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during World War II, and housed Nos 9, 11, 20, 40,41, 43 and 107 Squadrons at various stages during the war. Used as a training base after World War 2 it was closed and then sold in the early 1960s.
The Memorial
The area where the memorial stands was the site of the Commanding Officer`s residence and control tower. Built in 1972 and dedicated to all RAAF personnel who served on flying boats at Rathmines a Catalina propeller sits on top of the memorial. Walls on both sides commemorate those who died or served for their country and had passed through the base at Rathmines. Reading the names, we saw how young some of them were.
Club Catalina
Now a bowling club, Club Catalina was once the officer’s mess for the RAAF base. Unfortunately closed during our visit, the club contains a memorial wall commemorating and honouring RAAF personnel who operated and trained at the base during its service years.
What Did We Think?
Very easy to find with plenty of parking, we loved the history of the area as well as the views over the lake.
Thanks for posting this. Next time we head north through NSW we are aiming to stop here. My Dad was ground crew at Rathmines for these planes during WII. There’s also a Catalina memorial in Bowen in Qld. Cheers, Mark
Hi Mark, thanks for reading and pleased you liked it. A great place to visit especially if your father served there. I didn’t know about Bowen, will have to check it out next time we’re up that way. Regards Shaun
The title caught my eye – There’s a Rathmines here in Dublin – once a village but now an inner suburb… Any connection I wonder? Maybe your Rathmines founded by an Irishman??
It probably was! There are many Australian towns named after Irish towns and villages (and Scottish ones – near me are Scone Aberdeen, Lochinvar)
Great post
Informative❤️
Thanks 🥰
Thanks for reading
regards Shaun
You are most welcome ❤️