No. 4 Initial Training School RAAF

Mount Breckan, Victor Harbor State Library of SA B15735

Brief History

Originally the family home of Alexander Hay and his family, the building comprised 22 rooms, including 7 bedrooms and a great hall. Destroyed by fire in 1909, it was rebuilt by W F Connell as an exclusive guest house (the Mount Bracken Club). In its rebuilt form, it comprised 38 rooms and a golf course. It was purchased by the Commonwealth in 1940.

The unit was established in early November 1940, training newly recruited RAAF and WAAAF personnel until its closure on 5 December 1944. More than 5,500 personnel underwent their training at this location.

Trainees

• † Arthur Matthew Aitken