This commemorative poster honours the service of First Nations people in Australia and overseas during the Second World War. It shows buglers of the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion during the lowering of the colours ceremony, Torres Strait Area Command, Thursday Island, 29 October 1945.
Wartime snapshot
During the Second World War, more than 1 million Australians volunteered to serve their nation. Of these, at least 4,000 were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
First Nations people served both in and outside Australia. They served in all theatres of war, from Egypt and the Middle East to Crete and Greece, Europe and the Pacific. They served in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF), the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Many of them played a significant role in defence of Australia during the war. Among their numbers were distinguished individuals. Lieutenant Reginald Saunders was the first Aboriginal man to be commissioned in the AIF. Warrant Officer Leonard Waters, the first Aboriginal fighter pilot, undertook some 90 missions in the Pacific theatre of the war.
During this global conflict, First Nations people also served in dedicated Auxiliary units raised especially for service within Australia. Units such as the Northern Territory Special Reconnaissance Unit (NTSRU), Melville Island's Snake Bay Patrol and the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion played a key role in defence of Australia's northern coastline.
Specialised women's auxiliaries emerged during the war, including the Australian Women's Army Service (AWAS), the Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF), the Women's Royal Naval Service (WRANS) and the Australian Women's Land Army (AWAS). The inclusion of First Nations women in these services was a distinguishing feature of the Second World War. These women took on varied roles as mechanics, drivers, clerks, stewardesses and more. For example, Lance Corporal Kath Walker (Oodgeroo Noonuccal), served as a signaller in the AWAS. Aircraftwoman Alice Clarke Lovett was a messwoman with the WAAAF for several years. Women such as Walker and Lovett made a valuable contribution to the auxiliaries, which helped to release men for combat roles overseas.
Many First Nations people lost their lives for the defence of their country, on active service and as prisoners of war. Throughout the war, Indigenous Australians served with pride and distinction, leaving behind a powerful legacy of service and sacrifice.
Sources
Abbey, Sue (2017), 'Noonuccal, Oodgeroo (1920–1993)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, accessed 30 Jan 2025. https://ia.anu.edu.au/biography/noonuccal-oodgeroo-18057/text29634
Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (n.d.), 'Serving their country', last updated 29 Aug 2022, AIATSIS website, accessed 30 Jan 2025. https://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/serving-their-country
Australian War Memorial (n.d.), 'Captain Reginald Walter 'Reg' Saunders', AWM website, accessed 30 Jan 2025. https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P11081121
Australian War Memorial (n.d.), 'Indigenous defence service', last updated 10 Mar 2021, AMW website, accessed 30 Jan 2025. https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/encyclopedia/indigenous
Australian War Memorial (n.d.), 'Indigenous service in Australia's armed forces in peace and war', last updated 16 Aug 2022, AWM website, accessed 30 Jan 2025. https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/indigenous-service/report-executive-summary
Australian War Memorial (n.d.), 'Leonard Waters', last updated 16 Dec 2020, AWM website, accessed 30 Jan 2025. https://www.awm.gov.au/learn/memorial-boxes/3/online-resources/waters
Bell, Michael (2021, 8 July), 'Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women answer the call to service', last updated 21 Jun 2023, Australian War Memorial blog, accessed 30 Jan 2025. https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/blog/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-womens-service-list
Department of Veterans' Affairs (n.d.), 'Indigenous Australians in service during World War II', last updated 4 Oct 2024, Anzac Portal website, accessed 30 Jan 2025. https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/wars-and-missions/world-war-ii-1939-1945/resources/indigenous-australians-service-during-world-war-ii
Department of Veterans' Affairs (n.d.), 'Leonard Victor Waters', last updated 8 Nov 2023, Anzac Portal website, accessed 30 Jan 2025. https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/stories/biographies/leonard-victor-waters
Copyright
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
