Australian War Memorial Logo
Search

Donate Today

  • Collection Open Information Close Information
    • Official Histories & Unit Diaries
    • Understanding the Collection
    • Research at the Memorial
    • Donating to the Collection
    • National Collection Loans
    • Projects
  • People
  • Visit
  • Commemorate Open Information Close Information
    • Last Post Ceremony
    • Honour Rolls
    • Anzac Day
    • Remembrance Day
    • Customs & Ceremony
    • Speeches
  • Learn Open Information Close Information
    • Schools & Teachers
    • Memorial Articles
    • Encyclopedia
    • Understanding Military Structure
    • Podcasts
    • Glossary
    • Magazine
  • Get Involved Open Information Close Information
    • Donations & Bequests
    • Corporate Partnership
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Volunteer at the Memorial
    • Friends of the Memorial
    • eMemorial Newsletter
    • Grants, Scholarships & Residencies
    • Research Papers
  • Shop Open Information Close Information
    • Memorial Shop
    • Images, film and sound
    • Lone Pine Seedlings

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Learn
  3. Schools & Teachers
  4. Classroom Resources
  5. Anzac Diversity
  6. aboriginal anzacs
  7. Lawrence McKenzie

Main navigation

  • Schools & Teachers
    • School visits
    • Classroom Resources
    • Virtual Excursions
    • Memorial Boxes
    • Publications
    • Education Programs
    • The Simpson Prize
    • Professional Learning
    • Classroom Showcase
  • Understanding Military Structure
  • Australian military history overview
  • Podcasts
  • Glossary
  • Boy soldiers
  • Understanding Military History

Lawrence McKenzie

Gomeroi man Lawrence McKenzie, a labourer from Narrabri, New South Wales, tried to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force three times over the course of two years. He was rejected every time. Lawrence's first attempt was in 1916. He identified himself as being natural-born and his complexion was listed as "dark (Aboriginal)". Despite passing his medical test, he was rejected on the basis of not being "of substantial European origin". The next record of Lawrence attempting to enlist was in 1917. This time his complexion was listed as "black", and he was given the same reason for dismissal.

By the time Lawrence tried to enlist for the third time in 1918, now aged 31, two conscription referenda had been lost and enlistment restrictions were being eased. A Military Order stated that “half-castes” (a term now considered derogatory) could enlist on the condition that the examining officer was satisfied that one of the man's parents was of European origin. This time Lawrence's complexion was listed as "dark", and he identified himself as a British-born subject. When asked if he had ever been rejected as unfit for His Majesty's Service, he answered yes: on the grounds of colour. This was to be Lawrence's third rejection, but this time the reason for him being considered unfit was listed as flat feet and bunions.

The First World War came to an end with Lawrence having been deemed unfit for service on three occasions, having never been granted the opportunity to serve for Australia.

Collection Item C42366

Accession Number: A03406

Volunteer queueing to enlist in the First World War, Sydney, c. 1914–1916.

References

National Archives of Australia, service records, Lawrence McKenzie, B2455:
https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=1950466 <accessed 10 February 2020>.

Last updated: 25 August 2020

1 The Donations and bequests

Donations & Bequests

Your generous donation will be used to ensure the memory of our Defence Forces and what they have done for us, and what they continue to do for our freedom remains – today and into the future.

Find out more
2 Visit Transcribe.awm.gov.au

Transcribe

Help preserve Australia's history by transcribing records from the National Collection. Enhance accessibility and discoverability for all Australians.

Find out more
The placesofpride

Places of Pride

Places of Pride, the National Register of War Memorials, is a new initiative designed to record the locations and photographs of every publicly accessible memorial across Australia.

Find out more
Visit the Australian War Memorial

Visit the Australian War Memorial

The Australian War Memorial is open for visitors as we work to expand our galleries. Entry is free and tickets are not required.

Find out more
Canberra Highlands in Grayscale

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF
TRADITIONAL CUSTODIANS

The Australian War Memorial acknowledges the traditional custodians of country throughout Australia. We recognise their continuing connection to land, sea and waters. We pay our respects to elders past and present.
Location map of The Australian War Memorial
The Australian War Memorial building

The Australian War Memorial

Fairbairn Avenue
Campbell ACT 2612
Australia
View on Google Maps (opens in new window)
Google Map data ©2025 Google
Australian War Memorial Logo
  • Go to AWM Facebook
  • Go to AWM Trip Advisor
  • Go to AWM Instagram
  • Go to AWM Youtube

Footer

  • About
  • Contact
  • Venue Hire
  • Media
  • WM Magazine
  • Donate Today

The Australian War Memorial

Fairbairn Avenue

Campbell ACT 2612

Australia

 

Opening Hours

10 am to 4 pm daily (except Christmas Day)

 

In preparation for the daily Last Post Ceremony,

galleries are progressively closed from 3:40 pm.

 

Public entrance via Fairbairn Avenue, Campbell ACT 2612

Sign up to our newsletter

Subscribe

Legal

  • Copyright
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • Freedom of information

Copyright 2025 Australian War Memorial, Canberra. All rights reserved