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Comparing The Challenges Of Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islanders During World War I

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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders faced many challenges during World War I, hardships were experienced during enlistment and combat. Laws and discrimination barred Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders from enlisting in World War 1 (Deadly Story, 2015). Nonetheless, masses went to fight in the infamous campaigns of the war. Over 1,000 Indigenous soldiers travelled from Australia to fight the Central Powers (Australian War Memorial, 2019). These soldiers were courageous and tough, and many became renowned war heroes. The treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders during the enlistment process of World War 1 was contrasted greatly by their experiences and achievements in the campaigns of Gallipoli and the Western Front.

The biggest challenge for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders during World War 1 was …show more content…

So, many saw enlistment as an opportunity for better pay, employment, education, and travel (Deadly Story, 2015). Others wanted to prove themselves as equals to those of European background (Department of Veteran's Affairs, 2023). Yet, few got the chance to fulfill their desires by reason of the legislation in force. The legislation exempted “persons who [were] not substantially of European origin or descent” (Defence Act 1910, 1910) from military service. Men and women deemed insufficiently European could not serve. Due to this racist regulation, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who sought to enlist were forced to hide their origin, travel elsewhere or win sympathy from the recruiters (Deadly Story, 2015). Private Richard Martin was an Aboriginal man from North Stradbroke Island who enlisted in World War 1. He misrepresented his origins and “declared on his attestation papers that he was born in Dunedin, New Zealand” for a chance of acceptance into the AIF (Australian War Memorial, 2019). This evidence was collected from the Australian War Memorial project focusing on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander soldiers

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