Indigenous soldiers in World War 1
When World War 1 first broke out in 1914, indigenous
soldiers were originally not allowed to go to war but due to several casulties such as a lack of troops in the AIF (Australian Imperial Force made for World Wars)
“Half-Casts” were then eligible to enlist in the "armed services". (Indigenous Australian servicemen: Enlistment and Service First World
War)
Once this law was finally in place over 400 Indigenous soldiers had enlisted and fought throught Gallipoli and the Western Front during World War 1 (Indigenous Australian servicemen: Change in attitudes).Once the Indigenous soldiers were eligible to join the war they were often treated equally, payed the same wages and more often then not they were accepted by the other soldiers. This was a major reason of why there was such a large number of Indigenous soldiers enlisted in the AIF for world war 1(Indigenous Australian servicemen: Why did they fight?).
However once returning after the war they were once again looked down upon and were not even allowed to enter RSL’s ( Returned and Services League) unless on a special occasion, even in present day the Indigenous Australians that fought in world war 1 & 2 due to government dates they were forced to be placed at back of ANZAC day parades, This is a big reason of why many Indigenous troops hold their own ANZAC day parades (CAMBOURN, 2013)
Once this law was finally in place over 400 Indigenous soldiers had enlisted and fought throught Gallipoli and the Western Front during World War 1 (Indigenous Australian servicemen: Change in attitudes).Once the Indigenous soldiers were eligible to join the war they were often treated equally, payed the same wages and more often then not they were accepted by the other soldiers. This was a major reason of why there was such a large number of Indigenous soldiers enlisted in the AIF for world war 1(Indigenous Australian servicemen: Why did they fight?).
However once returning after the war they were once again looked down upon and were not even allowed to enter RSL’s ( Returned and Services League) unless on a special occasion, even in present day the Indigenous Australians that fought in world war 1 & 2 due to government dates they were forced to be placed at back of ANZAC day parades, This is a big reason of why many Indigenous troops hold their own ANZAC day parades (CAMBOURN, 2013)