ANZUK Flag. Wikipedia Commons

The ANZUK Ordnance Depot, operational from August 1971 to September 1974 in Singapore, played a critical role in the ANZUK Support Group. It represented the culmination of Commonwealth Ordnance Depots, integrating personnel from the RAOC, RAAOC, RNZAOC, and a significant civilian workforce. Located at the Sembawang Naval Base, it repurposed the former Royal Navy Victualling Depot.

Command and Organisation of the Depot

Throughout its brief tenure, the depot rotated leadership between the RAOC and RAAOC, with plans for national rotation that were curtailed before New Zealand could assume command.

ANZUK Ordnance Depot, Commanding Officers Aug 1917-Mar 1975. Robert McKie collection 2017.

Captain Ian Ross of New Zealand commanded the Vehicle Sub Depot in its early years. The depot, structured into functional groups and sub-depots in 1971, employed over 440 staff from contributing and host nations:

• RAOC – 60 pers.
• RAAOC – 60 pers.
• RNZAOC – 20 pers.
• LEC’s – 300 pers.

ANZUK Ordnance Depot 1971

ANZUK Ordnance Depot, April 1973. Robert McKie Collection

ANZUK Stores Sub Depot, April 1973. Robert McKie Collection

Vehicle Sub Depot, ANZUK Ordnance Depot, Singapore – 25th June 1972 (Left to Right) Sitting: SGT Matthews RAEME, SGT Carr REME, SSGT Slater RAAOC, CAPT Ross RNZAOC, WO2 Chapman RAOC, SGT Ball RAAOC, SGT Holmes RAOC Middle row: CPL Harrison REME, CPL McDonald RAOC, PTE Bensemann RNZAOC, LCPL McLean RNZAOC, CPL ? RAAOC, CPL Leach REME Top row: LCPL Peters RAOC, CPL Williams (?) RAAOC, CPL Picket RAOC, PTE Richmond RAAOC, CPL Ferris RAOC

ANZUK Ordnance Depot Plaque. Peter Cox Collection

Stockholding

Initially stocked from the closing 3 Base Ordnance Depot (RAOC) and the recently established 5 Advanced Ordnance Depot (joint Australian and New Zealand), the ANZUK Ordnance Depot held approximately 45,000 line items across its sub-depots by 1972. Cost management was divided: UK and Australia covered 40% each, with New Zealand responsible for the remaining 20%. A complex reimbursement process managed by the ADOS staff at HQ ANZUK Support Group handled billing based on issued items, with national units (e.g., 1RNZIR) billed only for principal items at adjusted rates.

Uniforms and Dress Embellishments

Troops wore their national uniforms with the addition of the ANZUK Force patch on each shoulder.

ANZUK Force patch. Robert McKie Collection.

By 1973, political shifts in Australia and the UK foreshadowed the end of the ANZUK Force. The British contingent transitioned to RAOC Ordnance Services Singapore by mid-1974. The New Zealand component became New Zealand Force South East Asia, establishing the New Zealand Advanced Ordnance Depot on January 31, 1974, with the ANZUK Ordnance Depot ceasing operations on September 30, 1974. Until its departure in 1989, NZFORSEA remained the sole foreign presence in Singapore from 1977.