LibGuides: World War II: Australians at War: Indigenous Australians

Australians at War: Indigenous australians

Facts & Figures

1 in every 20 Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people made a direct contribution to Australian WWII efforts, either as servicemen or women or civilian labourers. • At present, it is known that 34 Aboriginal men served at Gallipoli, 12 of whom were killed. • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples served for 87 years in the armed forces before they were considered citizens of Australia. • It is estimated that 27,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were killed in the Frontier Wars.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians have fought for Australia in every war since Federation in 1901.
In 1944, nearly every Torres Strait Islander man was a member of the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion - in proportion to population, no community in Australia contributed more to Australia’s effort in World War II than the people of the Torres Strait Islands.
The first Japanese Prisoner of War in Australia was captured by Aboriginal people after his plane crashed on Melville Island, north of Darwin, in February 1942.
NORFORCE, which relies heavily on the knowledge and talents of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the north of Australia today, monitors the largest area of operations of any military unit in the world.
Despite rules against their enrolment, over 3000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women are known to have enlisted in World War II—a further 400 are known to have served in World War I.
Only one Aboriginal man ever received land under the soldier settlement scheme. Returned Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander servicemen and women were often denied the honour and rights given to other returned servicemen and women.

Source: LaTrobe University, The History of the Service of Australian Service men and women 2014

Indigenous Australians in service during World War II
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were among those who served in World War II. They played important roles both overseas and on the home front. Unfortunately, the status of Indigenous veterans and their families did not improve after their military service. Significant changes to civil rights didn't begin to occur until the 1960s.
Source: Australian Government, Department of Veterans Affairs, ANZAC Portal
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Includes:
Willingness to serve Australia
Discrimination at the time
Indigenous airmen
Service in Australia
Civilian efforts
Role of Indigenous women
Coming home and civil rights

The forgotten ANZACs

'They were back to being black': The land withheld from returning Indigenous soldiers
Indigenous soldiers returning home from the horrors of World War I were plunged headlong into another long-running battle.

Sgtories of those who served

Kathleen Walker
Kathleen Walker, who would later take the traditional name of Oodgeroo Noonuccal, served in World War II with the Australian Women's Army Service (AWAS).
Leonard Waters
Leonard 'Len' Waters was Australia's first Indigenous fighter pilot. A Kamilaroi (Gamilaraay) man, Waters was one of 11 children, the fourth child of Don and Grace Waters. He was raised in the outback Queensland town of Nindigully.
Reginald Saunders
Reginald 'Reg' Saunders would become Australia's highest-profile Aboriginal soldier. He would also be one of the first Indigenous commissioned officers in the Australian Army.
David Paul
This officer at all times displayed outstanding leadership, initiative and determination. [Official citation, award of Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) to Pilot Officer David Paul. 28 March 1944. NAA: A12372, R/210106/H]
Dolly Gurinyi Batcho
Larrakia woman, Dolly Gurinyi Batcho, was one of more than 3000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who worked in support of Australia's war effort in World War II.
The Lovett Brothers
The Lovett family belong to the ‘fighting Gunditjmara.’ Gunditjmara people from South West Victoria earned this title in the 1800s because of their strong resistance to invasion of their Country. The Lovett family have continued this legacy through military service. Overall, 21 Lovett men and women have served Australia abroad in countries including Japan, Vietnam, Korea and Afghanistan, and all have returned home safely. The family's military record is believed to be unequalled in Australia.