Surveying for topographic mapping by the army
1901 to 1920: Mapping needs for World War I
As topographic maps are important in all military operations, the army pioneered this form of mapping in Australia.
In 1910, a survey section of the Royal Australian Engineers was formed and topographic maps in areas around Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide were produced.
Queensland surveyors and draftsmen serve in World War I
In 1914 many Queensland surveyors volunteered for service at the front. Their skills in surveying and mapping were used to survey the trenches at ANZAC Cove (PDF, 93K)* and record the location of both their own and enemy trenches.
In 1915, the Australian Survey Corps was formed as a unit of the permanent military forces.
The First World War reinforced the need for a good topographic map coverage of Australia. Therefore, in 1920 a section of the Australian Survey Corps was sent to Queensland to carry out mapping operations.
Army warrant officer Vic Aldred, second from left, instructing potential surveyors in the art of plane tabling Courtesy Mr L Twine
Preliminary procedures required that the surveyors first measured a base line on the Normanby Plains near Ipswich. This was followed by a second-order triangulation network covering south-east Queensland.
An Honour Board in the Lands Building, George Street, Brisbane remembers authorised surveyors and serving members of the Lands Department.
1921 to 1950: World War II revitalises the need for topo mapping
In 1923, mapping performed by the Australian Survey Corp by plane table resulted in the publication of the first map sheet. This covered Beenleigh at a scale of one mile to an inch.
During the ensuing years, topographic mapping was undertaken by the Mines, Main Roads and other departments.
Establishing a plane table survey
While surveying the D’Aguilar Range to the north-west of Brisbane in 1927, Captain Vance wrote to the Director of Military Operations. He outlined the difficulties he was having doing the survey by plane table. The Director informed him to continue his present mode of survey and encouraged the use of aerial photographs. The director also informed him that he would pass a request on to the RAAF to see if they could provide the aerial photographs:
I have commenced the survey of one of the most difficult field sheets in this area and find that it is impossible to make a completely accurate survey by the ordinary topographic methods. The main features can be fixed accurately, but the minor detail, viz., spurs, and gullies can only be approximated. The forest timber and scrub or jungle is so dense that it is impossible to traverse or see out of it to get bearings or resections; in fact, it is even necessary to cut a track to walk through it.
If a more accurate survey than is possible by the ordinary methods is essential, it will be necessary to have a full field party as normally employed by a land surveyor viz., four chainmen and axemen and cook, with necessary transport and camp equipment.
As these ranges are so inaccessible and are not likely to be settled except in a few isolated places, I consider that the approximate method would be sufficient for military maps. The more accurate method of clearing lines would be slow and costly.
May I please be advised if the present methods are sufficient? A large area of similar country will be encountered in the McPherson Ranges. Vance 1927
By 1937 the work of topographers, Vance, Smith, Aldred and Rossiter had resulted in the publication of thirteen such map sheets. In 1934, Vance returned to Melbourne and the field mapping by the Army in Queensland temporarily ceased.
Captain Vance and family at a trig station Courtesy Mrs G Vance
A survey army unit created
At the outbreak of World War II, Queensland had very little topographic mapping coverage of the State. Therefore Queensland surveyor Captain Sam Ward and colleague Lieutenant Charlie Martin were given the task by the Army to form a group of men, who were to go into training in order to create a survey company. This company was a militia unit known as 1 Field Survey Company and later became the 5th Field Survey Company.
Queensland men from all walks of life joined this company. They included surveyors, draftsmen, cooks, clerks, axemen, mechanics and labourers.
After basic training at the Kelvin Grove drill hall, the group transferred to the Kilcoy Show Grounds in September 1940. This was for three months of military and survey training.
Surveying the tip of Cape York Courtesy Mr L Twine
The 5th Field Survey Company in conjunction with other field survey companies, produced a range of topographic map sheets. This covered the Queensland coastline from Tweed Heads to Cape York between 1940 and 1942.
Survey Company in Kilcoy, 1941 Courtesy Mrs R Fraser
Map production for allied invasion of Borneo Courtesy Mr H Jones
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Last updated: 17 June 2009