ANZAC Centenary 2014-2018: Sharing Victoria's Stories

Aboriginal Victorians’ Involvement in World War I

Aboriginal Victorians’ Involvement in World War I

Between 800 and 1,000 Aboriginal Australians volunteered to enlist in the First World War.  At enlistment camps, Aboriginal Australians stood side by side with other Australians to answer the call of duty.  They fought together with their mates in the trenches, they suffered the hardships of war, and their families and communities grieved those who didn’t come home.

Lieutenant (Lt) T.C. Derrick, VC DCM (right) with Lt R. W. Saunders (left). Lt Saunders was the first Aboriginal commissioned in the Australian Army.

Lieutenant (Lt) T.C. Derrick, VC DCM (right) with Lt R. W. Saunders (left). Lt Saunders was the first Aboriginal commissioned in the Australian Army.

The contribution of Aboriginal service men and women to the First World War has not always been well recognised.

A Victorian Indigenous Remembrance Service  is now held each year on 31 May at 11am at the Shrine of Remembrance.  This Service was initiated by Aunty Dot Peters, a Wurundjeri Elder, who wanted to recognise the service of her father, who died on the Burma Railway, and  to commemorate the service of all those Aboriginal service men and women who have served in the Australian Defence Force.

victorian aboriginal wwi service – research project

The Veterans Branch and Office of Aboriginal Affairs Victoria, Department of Premier & Cabinet, worked together to collate and uncover information about the history of Victorian Aboriginal First World War service.

Read the stories

 

RESEARCHING YOUR FAMILY CONNECTION TO THE ANZACS

Yarrabah Mission, Qld. April 1969 - Courtesy Australian War Memorial.

Yarrabah Mission, Qld. April 1969 – Courtesy Australian War Memorial.

The Victorian Government encourages all Victorians to research their own connection to the Anzacs and to share their WWI stories to the Anzac Centenary website.

Tools that can assist Aboriginal families to research their connection to World War – I

Read about the contribution of Aboriginal Australians to WWI

An Aboriginal serviceman, 5459 Corporal (Cpl) Harry Thorpe MM.

An Aboriginal serviceman, 5459 Corporal (Cpl) Harry Thorpe MM.