Second World War
During the Second World War, the Central Australia Railway and North Australia Railway were vital to conveying service personnel and equipment to northern Australia. All of these wartime trains passed through Quorn.
Evacuees escape
After a trip described as a "nightmare" nearly 300 men, women, and children evacuees, many of them wearing the only clothes they possess, completed a 2,000-mile journey from Darwin…Some of the men had no shoes, while others arrived clad in shorts and singlets only. One man said he left Darwin with only a pair of shorts.
—The Advertiser, 28 February, 1942
General MacArthur: "I shall return"
General MacArthur and his family passed through Quorn on their own small steam engine, bogie van, dining car and two sleeping cars plus brake van. On his arrival in Quorn he thanked his train crew personally and had his vehicles reattached to a south-bound passenger train where he spoke to reporters in Terowie.
For other mothers' sons
On the way to war there was no greater comfort to our troops than to receive a home made meal from the CWA of Quorn. Ironically, they can thank the husband of Mrs Pearl Hastwell, Quorn’s convenor of hospitality. Had he not brought a couple of soldiers home for some tea this legend may never had occurred.
Sidney Williams huts
One of these 'tin sheds' was erected by the Department of Defence (Army) in February 1941 in the Quorn railway yard, behind the Cross of Sacrifice, to enable [an Army Service Corps Canteen, assisted by] the Country Women's Association (CWA) volunteers of Quorn, to provide meals day and night for military personnel and evacuees travelling on the Central Australia Railway corridor.