Adam D.

Moravski

From Flora and Fauna to Soldiers: Progress and Recognition of

Indigenous Service

It is important that the entire Australian community recognise and understand that Indigenous
men and women served in Australias armed forces, prior to the recent history of
reconciliation. Firstly, this project explains why it is crucial that Indigenous soldiers are
recognised for their service, just like their fellow white soldiers. Secondly and more crucially,
the research project explains that based on these formulating principles, Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander combatants should be remembered regardless of the political climate
and historical facts. Throughout this essay, it is identified how Australia remembers and
recognises Indigenous service, with reference to the Australian War Memorial and Anzac
Day. Some emphasis is placed upon the differences that exist in how Australian society
commemorates Indigenous and non-Indigenous soldiers. The project suggests that the
ignorance and prejudices that have existed throughout Australian history on the treatment of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to limit recognition. The essay
discusses how Indigenous soldiers have been treated and remembered over time. Crucially,
my project identifies the advancement in remembering Indigenous service, demonstrating
how far the community and Government have come. Furthermore, common Australian
attitudes relevant to the project, like courage, larrikinism and mateship, are shown to be
inseparable from the Indigenous soldiers; questioning why they were treated differently and
establishing a desire for Indigenous recognition regardless of the side they fought for.

Research undertaken into Indigenous service in Australias armed forces is a fairly recent
occurrence, meaning many people within the Australian public are possibly unaware of this
fact. Until the 1970s, Indigenous service in the armed forces was relatively unknown to the
public. As a result, it would be surprising to learn for many Australians that almost one
thousand Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders served in World War One (WW1) as part of
the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). Importantly, these soldiers were officially unable to

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 Adam D. Moravski

serve for Australia, as they were not of European ancestry.1 However, during the period of
WW1, many officers welcomed Indigenous service, as it resulted in additional manpower,
which was specifically more crucial after the heavy loss of Australian life during the
Gallipoli campaign. Reassuring to elements of the Australian public, the Australian War
Memorial explains that Indigenous soldiers, were treated as equals and were paid the
same as other soldiers and generally accepted without prejudice.2 What is concerning is that
the Australian Government remained strict on Indigenous service, demonstrating the
inconsistencies and misunderstandings that existed between the politicians and officers
during this period in history.

The Australian Government and population have little trouble glorifying and remembering
their veterans. Each year, the hysteria surrounding Anzac Day is heavily patriotic.
Throughout the media especially, sporting events and commemoration services in the
community, fallen soldiers and veterans are treated as heroes. Ideas of bravery, honour and
mateship are associated with the soldiers who fought in conflicts, for Australia. These
phrases are used in a universal manner that applies to soldiers who fought in any battle
Australia was involved in. It is important to establish that these traits are also relative to
Indigenous soldiers, as the ideas themselves do not discriminate based on colour. Particularly
when considering Timothy Winegards conclusion that Aboriginals and Torres Strait
Islanders, still served with all of the courage, determination and good humour of their white
comrades.3 This idea has enhanced the potential for Indigenous soldiers to be recognised
just like their fellow white or other ethnic comrades. The current political landscape of
reconciliation has further enhanced the potential for equal recognition for Indigenous
soldiers.

WW1 provided one of the first unique opportunities for a form of equality to exist between
white Australians and Indigenous people. Due to extensive Government laws discriminating
against Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders, the community in Australia often remained
disconnected between whites and the Indigenous population. The possible occurrence for

1
Defence Act 1903 (Cth) s61 (h).
2
Australian War Memorial, Indigenous defence service, The Australian War Memorial
[website], 2017, <https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/encyclopedia/indigenous>, accessed 7
Oct. 2017.
3
Timothy Winegard, A case study of Indigenous brothers in arms during the First World
War, Australian Army Journal, 6/1 (2009), 101.

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 Adam D. Moravski

Indigenous soldiers serving for Australia demonstrated the flawed inconsistencies that existed
within the authorities, their chosen policies and the establishment. Even though officers and
soldiers often welcomed Indigenous individuals to serve, the Government in 1916
implemented stricter guidelines, where the official stance was no coloured men able to
enlist, in order to fight for Australia. 4 This demonstrates that the authorities acted
discriminately, implementing separation between whites and the Indigenous people.
However, what remains meaningful and significant is that white soldiers often exhibited
anger towards such laws.

Relative is the case of Douglas Grant, an Indigenous soldier whose story was reported about
by the media at the time, crucial as it shows the entire Australian establishment was not
prejudiced towards Indigenous Australians. The newspaper article explains the
disappointment felt by Grant and his fellow white comrades, in relation to laws prohibiting
Indigenous people from leaving Australia without Government approval. 5 This stopped Grant
leaving to WW1 with his battalion, even after completing his military training with his fellow
soldiers. This article went against the status quo of 1916, as common sense assumes
commentary like this would not have existed in a major and popular newspaper of its time. It
is important to acknowledge the fact of the media reporting on this during this period, as it
can be correlated to how and if the present-day media report on similar matters. This relates
because the current media create substantial hysteria regarding Anzac Day and have the
capability of promoting recognition for Indigenous soldiers into many elements within the
Australian community. The modern Australian mainstream medias mostly silent stance on
this topic suggests two things: 1) progress in recognition has been made in recent years
meaning reporting is not substantially required and 2) they are more focused on
communicating a popular viewpoint relevant to the majority of the Australian community,
rather than an Indigenous topic that directly impacts a minority.

4
Australian War Memorial, Aboriginal service during the First World War, The Australian
War Memorial [website], 2017, <https://www.awm.gov.au/about/our-
work/projects/indigenous-service>, accessed 8 Oct. 2017.
5
Aboriginal Soldier, The Sydney Morning Herald, 02 Sep. 1916, 20, in Trove [online
database], accessed 11 Sep. 2017.

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 Adam D. Moravski

Figure 1: Private Douglas Grant second row, fourth from the left (source: Australian War Memorial)6

The awkward avoidance of the issue of Australian-Indigenous relations prolonged the

recognition for soldiers of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. Similarly, ignoring
Indigenous service in conflicts for Australia correlates with the common occurrence of
forgetting Indigenous history as a whole.7 However, even though Indigenous reconciliation is
complex, their service for Australia in times of conflict provides a positive and refreshing
outlook, capable of demonstrating real progress. Throughout the 21st century, elements of
Australian society have ignored the Indigenous community, likely due to the unnerving
feelings that must be confronted. In terms of Indigenous service, Liza Syron highlights the
discouraging point that, [Indigenous] returned soldiers were not welcomed at their local
Returned Service League (RSL) events, and not encouraged to march in uniform on ANZAC
commemoration day, once back in Australian society after fighting for the country. 8
Situations like these go against the ideals associated with veterans and fallen soldiers by the
Australian community, like courage, humour, mateship and sacrifice.

6 Australian War Memorial, P11644.002: 6020 Pte Douglas Grant (second row, seated
fourth from left) returning to Australia with other soldiers on HMAT Medic in 1919 [image],
<https://www.awm.gov.au/about/our-work/projects/indigenous-service>, accessed 14 Oct
2017.
7
Noah Riseman, Rectifying the Great Australian Silence? Creative representations of
Australian Indigenous Second World War service, Australian Aboriginal Studies, 2012/1
(2012), 36.
8
Liza Syron, Addressing a Great Silence: Black Diggers and the Aboriginal Experience of
War, Cambridge University Press, 31/3 (2015), 224.

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 Adam D. Moravski

It was not until 1949 that all restrictions were lifted, allowing both Aboriginals and Torres
Strait Islanders the ability to serve freely in Australias armed forces.9 This moment in history
is a key indicator of the progression occurring in Australia, in regard to equality between the
Indigenous and white population. This official position demonstrated to the community that
Indigenous people were equal. Crucially, it furthered the progress of Indigenous recognition
within Australian society and enhanced their prospects of one day being granted citizenship
(which later occurred in the 1967 referendum). The decision to legally allow Indigenous
soldiers to serve within the defence forces resulted likely out of convenience. It did not
impact how these soldiers served, as they were already utilising traits such as bravery, hard
work and strong will. However, there is little doubt that this was a significant event for
Indigenous progression and still is a momentous date in history, in terms of recognition for
the Indigenous soldiers serving and their community.

It is crucial that Australia identifies the progress that has occurred throughout history in
relation to Indigenous service in the armed forces and how these soldiers are recognised and
remembered. One way of observing the development is understanding how the situation
currently takes shape. Simon Reeve shows how having Indigenous soldiers in the Australian
Defence Force (ADF) is a positive for the organisation and country. He experiences a patrol
with a battalion called Norforce, a unique military unit who use ancient aboriginal
knowledge to help them survive in the bush.10 The soldiers within Norforce are strong in
their declarations that due to their shared service, there is no discrimination or separation
between any of them. They speak proudly of this reality. Furthermore, this demonstrates that
Indigenous soldiers have extensive skills to offer the ADF, unique in the sense that they are
specific to their culture.

Even though progress has occurred on recognition and equality for Indigenous soldiers, the
historic ignorant behaviours threaten to continue halting full acknowledgment for their
community. The question of recognising Indigenous people who fought in the Frontier Wars
in Australia during the colonisation period against the British is an ongoing debate. However,
if Indigenous soldiers fighting for Australia upheld the principles of courage and honour, then

9
Australian War Memorial, Aboriginal service during the First World War, The Australian
War Memorial [website], 2017, <https://www.awm.gov.au/about/our-
work/projects/indigenous-service>, accessed 8 Oct. 2017.
10
Australia with Simon Reeve, Part 2, BBC Two TV, 26 May 2013 [television program].

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 Adam D. Moravski

it should be assumed their ancestors fought with similar behaviours. This possible occurrence
is the most recent form of continued efforts in striving for equality between white Australians
and the Indigenous population. As James Bennet, a white soldier pleaded in 1933, seen them
[Indigenous soldiers] die like the grand-est of white men; and other little stunts I can
mention. So please be fair and have a little-bit of human feelings.11 These words still apply
and have relevance to the present-day issues associated with Indigenous recognition,
specifically regarding their remembrance as combatants of war that formed the unique
character of the country of Australia.

Coincidently, as part of the original building in 1941, the Australian War Memorial has
Indigenous head sculptures (gargoyles), along side fauna animals like the emu, kookaburra
and wombat. 12 These gargoyles suggest that Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders were
categorised as part of the fauna of the Australian continent. Even though these sculptures
have been perceived by some Indigenous elders as offensive, they were renovated rather than
removed in 2015, due to their historical significance.13 This demonstrates that Indigenous
recognition in the Australian War Memorial remains a complicated and political issue. It
shows that the inconsistent and sometimes silent behaviour still exists and is affecting the
ability of Indigenous soldiers to be remembered; regardless of which war they fought, as they
all affected the developing nation of Australia. However, the efforts and progress exhibited
by the Australian War Memorial in regard to Indigenous service is substantial.

In consideration of the complicated and highly political nature of Indigenous reconciliation,

the Australian War Memorial has extensive recognition for Indigenous service. They dedicate
elements of their website to Indigenous soldiers, allowing information on these individuals to
be freely accessed by the public. However, what remains unclear is whether the political
realities in Australia on Indigenous reconciliation have any impact on the way the Memorial
commemorate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander soldiers. Critically, on the main page

11
A Returned Soldiers Protest, Cairns Post, 28 Jan. 1933, 11, in Trove [online database],
accessed 8 Oct. 2017.
12
Lisa Barritt-Eyles, Gargoyles and silence: our story at the Australian War Memorial,
The Conversation [website], (18 Mar. 2015), <https://theconversation.com/gargoyles-and-
silence-our-story-at-the-australian-war-memorial-38829>, accessed 11 Oct. 2017.
13
Primrose Riordan, Indigenous gargoyles to stay at the Australian War Memorial,
Canberra Times [website], (4 Jun. 2015), <http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-
news/indigenous-gargoyles-to-stay-at-australian-war-memorial-20150604-ghgitz.html>,
accessed 12 Oct. 2017.

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 Adam D. Moravski

dedicated to Indigenous service in WW1, most of the soldiers pictured are lighter skinned or
white (see below figure 2 and 3). This may be related to the fact that many Indigenous
individuals lied about their true ancestry, often claiming foreign nationality, more achievable
if they were lighter skinned.14 This also correlates with the official stance at the time in 1917,
that stated, Half-castes may be enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force provided that the
examining Medical Officers are satisfied that one of the parents is of European origin. 15
However, many Indigenous soldiers who fought in WW1 were black (see below figure 4).

Figure 2: Private Richard Martin Figure 3: Corporal Harry Thorpe MM Figure 4: Private Mack Miller (Source:
(source: Australian War Memorial)16 (source: Australian War Memorial)17 Australian War Memorial)18

14
Timothy Winegard, A case study of Indigenous brothers in arms during the First World
War, Australian Army Journal, 6/1 (2009), 197.
15
Australian War Memorial, Aboriginal service during the First World War, The Australian
War Memorial [website], 2017, <https://www.awm.gov.au/about/our-
work/projects/indigenous-service>, accessed 8 Oct. 2017.
16
Australian War Memorial, P00889.017: Private Richard Martin [image],
<https://www.awm.gov.au/about/our-work/projects/indigenous-service>, accessed 14 Oct.
2017.
17
Australian War Memorial, P01695.002: Corporal Harry Thorpe MM [image],
<https://www.awm.gov.au/about/our-work/projects/indigenous-service>, accessed 14 Oct.
2017.
18
Australian War Memorial, P10608.010: Private Miller Mack [image],
<https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P10679276>, accessed 9 Sep. 2017.

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 Adam D. Moravski

From the discriminatory legislation that disallowed Indigenous people from serving in
Australias armed forces legally, to the present-day recognition efforts, there is no doubt the
community has come a long way in reconciliation. Even though the efforts contributed by
institutions like the Australian War Memorial have been meaningful and significant in the
context of where the issue once was, there is still a measureable potential capable of more
Indigenous service remembrance. Indigenous soldiers who served as part of Australias
defence forces have been recognised substantially within the Australian War Memorial.
However, the stories of these individuals need to be made more public, particularly in places
like the mainstream media. This would allow the Australian community to understand the
complex history of the matter. As a result, one day potentially, Indigenous people would be
recognised within the Australian War Memorial regardless of the side they fought for; on the
basis they fought with courage, honour, mateship and sacrifice.

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 Adam D. Moravski

References

Primary sources:

Aboriginal Soldier, The Sydney Morning Herald, 02 Sep. 1916, 20, in Trove [online
database], accessed 11 Sep. 2017.

A Returned Soldiers Protest, Cairns Post, 28 Jan. 1933, 11, in Trove [online database],
accessed 8 Oct. 2017.

Secondary sources:

Australia with Simon Reeve, Part 2, BBC Two TV, 26 May 2013 [television program].

Australian War Memorial, Aboriginal service during the First World War, The Australian
War Memorial [website], 2017, <https://www.awm.gov.au/about/our-
work/projects/indigenous-service>, accessed 8 Oct. 2017.

Australian War Memorial, Indigenous defence service, The Australian War Memorial
[website], 2017, <https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/encyclopedia/indigenous>, accessed 7
Oct. 2017.

Australian War Memorial, Private Miller Mack, The Australian War Memorial [website],
2017, <https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P10679276>, accessed 8 Oct. 2017.

Barritt-Eyles, Lisa, Gargoyles and silence: our story at the Australian War Memorial, The
Conversation [website], (18 Mar. 2015), <https://theconversation.com/gargoyles-and-silence-
our-story-at-the-australian-war-memorial-38829>, accessed 11 Oct. 2017.

Defence Act 1903 (Cth) s61 (h).

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 Adam D. Moravski

Riordan, Primrose, Indigenous gargoyles to stay at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra
Times [website], (4 Jun. 2015), <http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/indigenous-
gargoyles-to-stay-at-australian-war-memorial-20150604-ghgitz.html>, accessed 12 Oct.
2017.

Riseman, Noah, Rectifying the Great Australian Silence? Creative representations of

Australian Indigenous Second World War service, Australian Aboriginal Studies, 2012/1
(2012), 35 48.

Syron, Liza, Addressing a Great Silence: Black Diggers and the Aboriginal Experience of
War, Cambridge University Press, 31/3 (2015), 223 231.

Winegard, Timothy, A case study of Indigenous brothers in arms during the First World
War, Australian Army Journal, 6/1 (2009), 191 206.

Images:

Australian War Memorial, P01695.002: Corporal Harry Thorpe MM [image],

<https://www.awm.gov.au/about/our-work/projects/indigenous-service>, accessed 14 Oct.
2017.

Australian War Memorial, P10608.010: Private Miller Mack [image],

<https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P10679276>, accessed 9 Sep. 2017.

Australian War Memorial, P00889.017: Private Richard Martin [image],

<https://www.awm.gov.au/about/our-work/projects/indigenous-service>, accessed 14 Oct.
2017.

Australian War Memorial, P11644.002: 6020 Pte Douglas Grant (second row, seated fourth
from left) returning to Australia with other soldiers on HMAT Medic in 1919 [image],
<https://www.awm.gov.au/about/our-work/projects/indigenous-service>, accessed 14 Oct
2017.

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