A History of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People in the Defence of Australia

World War 1

Serving our Country: Indigenous Australians, war, defence and citizenship

One of the major outcomes of the Serving our Country research project, 'Serving our Country:Indigenous Australians, war, defence and citizenship', has just been published by NewSouth Publishing.

Missing voices: Aboriginal experiences in the Great War

Aboriginal involvement in World War I is at once complex and full of contradictions. During the Great War, many Aboriginal people and communities were keen to enlist and supportive of the war effort while others spoke out against conscription and the war. It is important to trace Aboriginal voices both during and after the war to comprehend what Aboriginal people had to say about the conflict. This article seeks to provide answers to some of these tantalising issues, and snapshots of the Aboriginal WWI experience. These complex stories will fill gaps in the mythic Australian First World War narrative.

Aboriginal Enlistment During World War I

A century ago in May 1917, the Australian Army issued a Military Order stating that “half castes may be enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force providing that the examining Medical Officers are satisfied that one of the parents is of European origin.”

The lost souls of Condah who joined the Anzacs

Aboriginal families of Condah have fought in every war since World War I despite their own lands being stolen and being denied soldier benefits.

Aboriginal WWI digger to be brought home

An Aboriginal WWI soldier whose remains have lain in an unmarked grave in Adelaide for nearly a century will be reburied near his home with full military honours.

Seminar: Aboriginal Australians and the First World War Home Front

In this seminar Dr Samuel Furphy provides a broad overview of Aboriginal home front experiences during the Great War, focusing particularly on the themes of employment, imperial loyalty, and changes to Aboriginal policy.

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Please note: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices or names of deceased persons in photographs, film, audio recordings or printed material - read more

Updated:  16 July 2015/Responsible Officer:  Director, Serving our Country/Page Contact:  CAP Web Team