The outbreak of World War II saw Wagga Wagga become a key centre in the defence of Australia. Royal Australian Air Force bases were established at Forest Hill in 1940 and Uranquinty in 1941. A major Australian Army camp was constructed at Kapooka in 1942 and one year later there were 8,000 troops in training there with Wagga taking on the characteristics of a garrison town. A native of Wagga Wagga, Sir Thomas Blamey, became Australia's highest-ranking officer during the war. Also born in Wagga Wagga was John Hurst Edmondson, a corporal in the 2/17 Infantry Battalion of the 9th Division, the first Australian winner of the Victoria Cross in World War II, for actions at the Siege of Tobruk.