Who was the “typical” World War 1 soldier?• Using your handout, Resource 10,read the information about the average or typical Australian soldier who served In World War 1.

• Label the features of the soldier’s uniform by using the informationon the following slide.

Slouch hat

Anzac Badge

WebbingTunic – pleated jacket with belt

Trousers – khaki, woollen breaches Puttees – 9 feet of

khaki material wrapped around the legBoots – heavy,

brown leather ankle boots

Rifle - .303

Bayonet attached

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders

• Around 400 Aboriginal serviceman fought in World War 1, although records were inaccurate because technically they were forbidden because of their race.

• For most indigenous men it was the first time in their lives they were treated as equals. They were paid the same as white soldiers and received the same conditions.

• Interestingly by 1917, recruiters were becoming more desperate for new recruits so restrictions were relaxed somewhat. A new Military Order stated: "Half-castes may be enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force provided that the examining Medical Officers are satisfied that one of the parents is of European origin.“

• It was also thought that white men who had not enlisted so far might be shamed into joining once they found out that Aborigines were enlisting. In April 1916 a commentator said, ‘It is a crying shame that any [non volunteering white men] should so far demean themselves as to be taught their duty by dependants of an aboriginal mission.’ http://indigenoushistories.com/2013/07/22/aboriginal-enlistment-in-the-first-aif-useful-when-needed/Indigenous Australian servicemen

Women• More than 2300 Australian women served

overseas in the Great War as part of the Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS). Women also worked as Red Cross Volunteers.

Nursing sister, Florence Annie Nicols, AANS, WW1. http://www.awm.gov.au/collections/P00379.001

• Nurses were expected to be single or widowed although some married women did get through the recruitment checks and some married during their period of service.

• The official enlistment age was 25.

• Even though women were not directly involved in fighting, 7 women received the Military Medal for bravery under fire and several died of injuries or disease.

References

Australian War Memorial, http://www.awm.gov.au/collections/P00379.001

‘The Soldier’ from The Courier Mail, 23-24 April, 2005, p 7.

Indigenous Histories http://indigenoushistories.com/2013/07/22/aboriginal-enlistment-in-the-first-aif-useful-when-needed/Indigenous Australian servicemen

“Unit 2: Australian Women in WW1 1914-1918’ in Australian Women in War, DVA Education Resource, March 2008.