aboriginalsoldiers

Charles Baird His birth year was indicated to be 1889 having given his age as 26 years when he enlisted for Military Service in Cooktown on 5 May 1915. He also gave his Next of Kin as Norman Baird (his brother) and his occupation as a Miner. His Service No. was 1234A. Charles was one of many, including Norman, from the Cooktown area who enlisted and served overseas in World War One. He was awarded The 1914-1915 Star, The British War Medal and The Victory Medal. In 1913 and 1915, Charles Baird had been on the Electoral Roll at Bloomfield River in the Subdistrict of Cooktown, giving his occupation as a MIner. In 1916 and 1919, Charles and Norman were both on the same Electoral Rolls at Bloomfield River giving their occupations as Miners. Noel Pearson referred to Norman and Charles as "TWO of my maternal grandfathers, each of whom I would call Ngaji in our Kuku Yalanji language, and great-uncle in English, served ... in World War I" [6]. This article also gives Charles as "Charlie (1890-1966)" for a probable death year about 1966. Source: www.wikitree.com/wiki/Baird-4931

Norman Baird once wrote that he was prepared to advocate for the Kuku Yalanji people as long as there was 'a spark left within'. As a young man Norman fought to defend the rights of Australians in World War 1 only to come home and fight for his own freedom and that of his children. As an old man and almost blind, Norman recorded an ancient language and preserved part of a unique Australian culture. Norman's mother was an indigenous Australian and his father was native to Scotland. He learnt skills from both cultures: reading and writing, mining and hunting, English and Kuku Yananji - skills that served him from the jungles of Far North Queensland to the battlefields of Europe. Norman's story provides an opportunity to glimpse the history of Far North Queensland - a shared history, and one that needs to be told so that common ground can be found to strenghten and unite Australian communities. "Norman Baird : a spark within", written by Kathleen Denigan ; narration: Caden Pearson

Wujal Wujal's first generation of Indigenous recruits in 100 years have marched in the small far north Queensland Aboriginal community's first Anzac Day parade. The last time someone from Wujal Wujal served in the Defence Force was when brothers Norman and Charlie Baird fought in France and Egypt during World War I, at a time when Indigenous servicemen and women did not receive the recognition and entitlements they deserved. This year's Anzac Day commemorations honoured the two men, with members of the Baird family carrying their photographs as they led the march through the town, north of the Daintree. Source: www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-26/fnq-aboriginal-community-w...

The friends of a World War One aboriginal soldier raised funds to erect a headstone for their fallen comrade`s unmarked grave in Cairns, in far north Queensland. Harry Doyle was taken from his home on Fraser Island to Yarrabah and lied about his age to enlist with the Light Horse. Despite his youth, he joined the army on May 23, 1917 and was shipped on the HMAS Ulysses to the Middle East with the rest of his unit. He went on to fight in the famous charge at Beersheba in Palestine. At sunset on October 31, 1917, the 4th Australian Light Horse Brigade were ordered to gallop under fire and take the town of Beersheba. In the battle, 31 Australians were killed and another 36 were injured, but the Diggers took more than 700 Turkish prisoners. Harry Doyle survived the war and resettled in Cairns in the early 1950s. When he died in 1967 aged 66 he was buried in an unmarked grave at the Martyn Street cemetery . Source: monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/people/indigenous/display...

12 November, 2008 12:22AM AEST Lost World War I soldier given a tombstone By Liam Fox The final resting place of an Aboriginal World War I veteran has finally been marked in Far North Queensland more than 40 years after his death. Harry Doyle was a 16 year old from Yarrabah when he lied about his age to enlist in the imperial army and went on to fight with the 11th Light Horse Regiment in the Middle East in 1917. Trooper Doyle died in 1967 in Cairns but his grave site was unmarked until friend Rose Colless tried to find it. Ms Colless lead an effort to raise funds for a headstone. Today, friends and relatives gathered to see it blessed during a ceremony that included the traditional minute's silence on Remembrance Day. Retired Navy Commander, Mick Storrs, feels it's important Trooper Doyle's contribution has been recognised. "Harry's laid here for 40 years unrecognised so it brings it to an appropriate conclusion that we can honour his memory on a very appropriate day," he says. Trooper Doyle's simple headstone describes him as a beloved friend and relative. Source: www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2008/11/12/2417040.htm