aboriginalsoldiers

the total number of Queensland men listed in the 1931 Reveille, 154, (of whom only 109 actually enlisted from Queensland) is contradicted by a statement made in 1940 by the Queensland Department of Native Affairs about the service of what it referred to as ‘half-bloods’: ‘In the War 1914-1918 some 200 coloured people of whom this Department was aware, and there would be others, enlisted and served overseas.’ (NAA: MP508/1, 275/750/1310 Aborigines Enlisted in AIF). The observation supports the contention that local inquiries rather than the records of the Chief Protector were the source of the names provided to Reveille. Just one of the Queensland men who were not listed by Reveille was Charles Alley , who with Martin Blyth was the subject of press and RSL attention in 1930, the year prior to the survey: The bad old convict days ‘ of Australia are recalled by the banishment from the mainland ‘ to Palm Island of two half-caste aborigines — Martin Blyth and Charles Alley— both returned soldiers … the Returned Soldiers’ League in Northern Queensland are protesting “to the authorities, at what they call the ” barbarous treatment” of the two men. (Evening News (Rockhampton, Qld.) 17 May 1930:5.) Of the two, Blyth was listed by Reveille, and Alley was not, demonstrating the hit-and-miss nature of the name collection process. Similar comments apply to the Victorian list. Amongst others omitted by Reveille were six Aboriginal men whose names appear on the honor board from the Lake Condah mission church. The Aboriginality of one of these Herbert Winter was noted as ‘complexion black’ in his service record Source: indigenoushistories.com/2016/03/29/understanding-the-numb....

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

Alfred Blackman was born to Mrs Emily Deshong in 1889 in a small town called Tiaro in QLD. At 26 years of age, Alfred enlisted in Maryborough on the 6th January 1917. His two brothers, Charles Tednee Blackman and Thomas Blackman, were already fighting on the Western Front. Alfred joined them deep into the conflict in Flanders, Belgium and served in the same unit as his brother, Thomas. Both Thomas and Alfred were injured in the same battle, Alfred with shell wounds to his neck. After four days, he succumbed to his wounds and died on the 8th of October 1917 at the 7th Canadian General Hospital in Etaples, France. He is buried at Etaples Military Cemetery and was awarded both the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. Source: cherbourgmemory.org/profiles/alfred-john-blackman/ The website also provides old photographs in relation to the Blackmann's burial place, a Field service report, Alfred wounded in action, Travel to Flanders-France. and more.