Articles/blogs
Hundreds of articles, blogs, and encyclopedia entries have been written and researched by Australian War Memorial staff. A selection relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wartime experiences are listed below.
First Aboriginal commissioned officer – Reginald Saunders
Many thousands of Australian Aboriginals have enlisted and served in Australia’s defence forces since 1901, and several have won decorations, but the first to be promoted to a commissioned rank was Reg Saunders of Victoria.
Researching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander defence force service
The Australian War Memorial has devoted considerable effort over the years to collecting information and displayable items that reflect the service of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women in the Australian defence forces.
The story of William Charles Westbury Aboriginal Soldier, The Boer War and First World War
William was born in Mount Gambier, South Australia, in 1878.
Charlie Burns: A soldier in two world wars
Over 20 Indigenous soldiers are known to have served in both the First and Second World Wars. Charles “Charlie” Burns is one of only a handful of those who saw active overseas service in both world wars.
Captured in paint - a 69 year old mystery solved.
On 11 June 1945 the Official Australian War Artist Stella Bowen captured the image of an Australian soldier. One critical piece of information was never recorded - his name.
Brothers in Arms and Aboriginal ANZAC Families
The Australian War Memorial has recently added two names to the list of First World War servicemen: James Smale and Walter Edward Smale.
'It’s probably the most challenging thing I’ve ever done'
When Indigenous artist Megan Cope was asked to be an official war artist, she thought of her Uncle Dick, who was killed during the First World War.
Aboriginal presence on Gallipoli grows
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.
