World War I: Indigenous Australian Soldiers

"1901—The Australian constitution comes into effect with the federation of Australia. There are two sections referring to the Aboriginal people that marginalises and excludes Australia’s Indigenous population, effectively making them second-class citizens in their own country ... "

"Initially recruiting officers allowed Indigenous Australians to enlist only if their skin was considered ‘white enough’ but as the war went on, with casualty rates rising and recruitment numbers dropping, the officers weren't as selective. It’s not sure how many Indigenous Australians fought in the war but it is believed to have been around 500-600. They were involved in the majority of the campaigns ... "

"Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have served in every conflict and commitment involving Australian defence contingents since Federation, including both world wars and the intervals of peace since the Second World War ... "

"Many Indigenous Australians served overseas during World War I. At first, racist regulations prevented them from joining the army. Restrictions were relaxed in 1917 because the British Empire needed reinforcements ... "

"​​Indigenous Australians were excluded from joining military service under the Commonwealth Defence Act of 1903 (and further amendments). This prevented people ‘not substantially of European origin or descent’ from enlisting in military service. After the failure of the first conscription referendum, changes made in 1917 allowed aboriginal men with one white parent to enlist ... "

"…We’re not citizens, yet we’re willing to die for this place, we’re willing to die for non-Indigenous Australians, have a think about that one… — Gary Oakley ... "

"The popular construction of unconditional mateship, said to make the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) the band of brothers it never was, today overshadows the existence of racism in the AIF, and the fact that the negative treatment Aboriginal servicemen received post-war was often at the hands of those now said to have been their mates ... "

"This hub has been created to share information about people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent who enlisted, or attempted to enlist for service in conflicts including the Boer war, the First World War, the Second World War, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, as well as more recent conflicts and peace keeping operations. This acknowledgement of service is part of the ongoing process of recognition and reconciliation ... "

"Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander diggers have been honoured at an Anzac Day march through Redfern in inner Sydney. Around 500 Indigenous people fought in World War I and as many as 5,000 in World War II. But many who made it home received little or no recognition for their contribution ... "

"“A lot of young Aboriginal men fought for this county, travelled overseas and never came home. Even those who did weren’t treated with dignity and respect in Australia at the time. Their stories remain hidden, camouflaged in history.” ... "

"For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service personnel, their paths to the armed forces and their experiences in civilian life have both complemented and diverged from non-Indigenous diggers' histories ..."

"Ongoing research by Philippa Scarlett, AWM and others have identified several Aboriginal soldiers who were medal recipients - Maitland Madge was certainly one of the earliest; however it appears that Frederick Prentice may have been the first recipient as he was awarded the Milita ..."

"In 2014 the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander soldiers who were known to be involved in the Gallipoli campaign stood at 50 men. This during an era when they weren't recognised as Australian citizens, so for them enlistment was illegal. At present it seems that it will never be possible to state an accurate number, but the Australian War Memorial is currently endeavouring to rectify this situation and to identify and recognise this little-appreciated and unexpected piece of Australia's military history ... "

"The Anzac tradition is one from which the country's indigenous people feel estranged ... "

"Despite fighting and dying for Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders still weren’t considered citizens upon their return from the war. Many of these veterans were also denied repatriation benefits, and excluded from returned services clubs ... "

"Like many returned soldiers, Lance Corporal Prentice did not return to mainstream life but drifted around Australia chasing work at the goldfields before returning to his mother's ancestral area near the NT town of Katherine, where, lonely and forgotten, he died of a heart attack in 1957 and was buried in an unmarked grave ... "

"To commemorate ANZAC Day on 25 April, this article provides an overview of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander involvement in the armed forces and reflects on key themes and legacies of that involvement ... "

"Anzac Day, 25 April, is probably Australia's most important national occasion. It marks the anniversary of the first campaign that led to major casualties for Australian and New Zealand forces during World War One, and commemorates all the conflicts that followed ... "

"In 1914 the Australian government placed a call for volunteers to fight a predominantly European war in the interests of the British Empire. Indigenous Australians answered that call in numbers. In doing so, they faced challenges other Australian volunteers did not ..."