Indigenous Stories
The Memorial is honoured to be able to share the stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
'He always said that the Bible in his pocket was the thing that saved him'
When Alfred Dow was hit by shrapnel during the Siege of Tobruk, a small pocket-sized copy of the New Testament saved his life. He was one of more than 50 “Black Rats of Tobruk” and one of more than 2,000 Indigenous Australians who served during the Second World War.
'They're not forgotten anymore'
Stephen Mullawalla Dodd featured in some of Australia’s most iconic films and television shows, but he put his career on hold to play a little known role in the Korean War.
'We didn’t know what our future would be'
Ken Colbung was a “strong man with a big heart”. He became a prominent Aboriginal activist and respected Noongar Elder of the Bibbulmun people, but he never forgot his service in Korea.
'It’s important to ... ensure he’s not forgotten'
Stafford Kenny James “Len” Lenoy served in New Guinea during the Second World War, and then with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF) in Japan, but was killed in Korea in April 1951 during the battle of Kapyong.
Remembering Thomas Samuels
Thomas Samuels wanted nothing more than to serve his country. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 3 October 1917, was allotted to the No. 1 Depot Company on the 12th, and discharged that same day. The reason: Thomas Samuels was Indigenous.
Remembering the Hilliet brothers
George and William Hilliet were prepared to sacrifice everything to serve their country. But when the two brothers volunteered to enlist during the First World War, they were rejected because of the colour of their skin.
Remembering the Walker brothers
Edward Walker had returned home from the First World War when he went to enjoy a pint of beer with his mates. He had been seriously wounded in northern France, and had lost his brother in the fighting on the Western Front – but instead of being welcomed home as a hero, Edward became the subject of a local court case when he was spotted drinking at the bar with two of his mates.
'It makes you feel proud, knowing he's part of our family'
William Yeo had to fight to serve during the First World War. He would enlist three times in four years, and be discharged twice. The reason: he was Aboriginal.
Serving under the Protector
Jack Harry Norman was just 18 years old when he volunteered to serve during the First World War. But with no living relatives, “the whereabouts of [his] parents not known”, Jack was forced to name the Chief Protector of Aboriginals in Queensland as his next of kin.