The
Great War (1914-1918) was characterised by an extreme level of sacrifice and
loss of life.
The temperament of the emerging Australian nation was set by the
servicemen fighting in all theatres of the First World War.
Their exemplary bravery, ingenuity and demeanour endeared them to the
civilian population and other soldiers.
Australians were generally at the forefront of all major battles and
decisive attacks, especially in France and Belgium, and were effectively the
“shock troops” of the Allied armies.
The Gallipoli campaign set the tone for the attitude exhibited
thereafter. It was during this war that the term ‘Digger’, referring to
Australian Soldiers, was initiated & widely adopted.
It is still proudly used today.
An entire generation of Australian manhood was effectively decimated by
the Great War, with hardly a family or community escaping the huge losses.
Of the 331,781 Australian troops to take the field of war between
1914-1918, 64.8% were to become casualties.
Of the total population of Australia, 6.8% actually took to the fields of
battle. (C.E.W. BEAN – Official Historian). Australian soldiers are still
fondly remembered and respected by the citizens of the countries in which they
fought and died, and command respect still afforded to them today.
