Indigenous Australian soldiers fought alongside non-indigenous soldiers in World War I. 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.
Many enlisted with the hope that fighting for the country would in turn change the way they and other Indigenous Australians were treated – to no longer be discriminated against and to be treated equally. Others enlisted for the same reasons as non-indigenous Australians such as to see the world while receiving good pay (the pay was the same for Indigenous and non-indigenous soldiers).
In the trenches Indigenous Australians were considered and treated equal but when they returned home, things went back to the way they were before the war. The men were no longer equal to non-indigenous soldiers who they fought side by side with. They continued to be discriminated against, for example, they couldn’t apply for land under the soldier settlement schemes or even have a drink with their fellow soldiers at the local.
NSW serviceman portraits, 1918-1919 - Leslie John Locke. Locke was awarded the Military Medal.
Digital order number: a871879
(Information taken from; http://guides.sl.nsw.gov.au/content.php?pid=489033&sid=4179124)
Many enlisted with the hope that fighting for the country would in turn change the way they and other Indigenous Australians were treated – to no longer be discriminated against and to be treated equally. Others enlisted for the same reasons as non-indigenous Australians such as to see the world while receiving good pay (the pay was the same for Indigenous and non-indigenous soldiers).
In the trenches Indigenous Australians were considered and treated equal but when they returned home, things went back to the way they were before the war. The men were no longer equal to non-indigenous soldiers who they fought side by side with. They continued to be discriminated against, for example, they couldn’t apply for land under the soldier settlement schemes or even have a drink with their fellow soldiers at the local.
NSW serviceman portraits, 1918-1919 - Leslie John Locke. Locke was awarded the Military Medal.
Digital order number: a871879
(Information taken from; http://guides.sl.nsw.gov.au/content.php?pid=489033&sid=4179124)