qanzac100

“X” – The Life and Death of a Courageous Digger 1 JULY, 2016 BY QUEENSLAND STATE ARCHIVES Private William (Billy) Elsdale. Believed to be the first Aboriginal digger to die during action in France, Billy’s sacrifice is acknowledged in this letter from W P Vance to Anthony Ogden: “I read in the papers some queer British names amongst those volunteering from Australia, Ah Chay and Ah Foo. Britishers these, yes, more British in spirit than many who bear old English names and Billy Elsdale, aboriginal half-caste, killed in France, and hundreds of our men with German names, more British than many of our own race.” It is estimated that over 1000 Aboriginal Australians enlisted for the Australian Imperial Force during the First World War, although many were rejected on the grounds of race. Billy Elsdale found himself accepted and he enlisted on 10 September 1915, at the age of 28. A recipient of exemption from the Aboriginals Protection and Restriction of the Sale of Opium Act 1897 since 1910, Billy gained employment in 1913 as a police tracker. Working under the command of Sub Inspector Graham of Charleville, Billy was described by Graham as “25 years old … 10 stone 9 lbs … and a good horsemen and bushman”. However, Billy wanted to enlist, and his AIF enlistment papers offers some insight into the man. The Army Medical Officer wrote the term “Half cast” for Billy’s “complexion” on his certificate of medical examination. At just over 6 feet, Billy was taller than average. He had black hair and brown eyes, and his religious denomination was Roman Catholic. For his next of kin, Billy nominated his friend, Jack Cockrane of Charleville, instead of his parents. Billy pledged with an “X” to truly serve his Sovereign Lord the King, in the Australian Imperial Force, for the duration of the war. Source: blogs.archives.qld.gov.au/2016/07/01/x-the-life-and-death...

Anzac Day 2018: Family of Gus Davies left waiting for land 96 years after World War I For 96 years, the late Private Augustus Hodgkinson Davies and his descendants have lived on one property in suburban Brisbane — yet they have never held freehold title of the land. The return of soldiers after World War I saw Private Davies — or 'Gus' as he was known — offered a 99-year-lease as part of the Soldiers Settlement Scheme. Initially, the scheme allowed honorably discharged members of the naval or military forces — once returned from war — to be offered land in across parts of Australia. For Private Davies, who returned from WWI in 1918, was offered the lease in Bald Hills in south-east Queensland. Granddaughter of Private Davies, Aunty Paula Williamson-Babarovich is a Kuku Kulunggur elder and has been battling to get freehold title for the family for decades. "He lived down Deep Water Bend since he came back from the First World War," Aunty Paula said. "It was a soldier settlement right on the river. "Originally it was 52 acres, and this was in — as far as I've been able to research it — from 1922." Aunty Paula said there was a possibility that more documentation was yet to be recovered. "I honestly believe there's an earlier one than that but I haven't been able to find it," she said. "We have been paying rent on that land since 1922 and have still not been able to freehold it." The Legacy of Gus Davies "He signed up for both wars, he served his country well. He was finally discharged for having flat feet and he got an honourable discharge," Aunty Paula said. Private Davies left an impact on the community by having a park named after him in Bald Hills. He was well known in Brisbane, where he eventually married his wife Easter Evelyn Smith in 1912, had seven children and many grandchildren before passing away in 1956. Aunty Paula said her grandfather's legacy was important to honour having given his service in two wars for Australia. "Grandad was the gentlest person … he wouldn't hurt a fly," she said. "He was a true gentleman. He never drank, he never smoked, he just got on with his business. "All the old people in Bald Hills always say what a gentleman he was. "He'd wear a suit and tie, but no shoes … he never ever wore shoes." Source: www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-20/anzac-wwi-veteran-gus-davi...

David duly completed the AIF enlistment form – called the ‘Attestation Paper’. He confirmed his age, occupation, and marital status and noted that his home was in Queensland. David advised that his next of kin was ‘(Sister) Robertson Y M’. On the second page of the Attestation Paper he made the following oath in the presence of the Attesting Officer: “I, David AYA … swear that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lord the King in the Australian Imperial Force until the end of the War … SO HELP ME, GOD.” David was assigned the AIF service number 8071 which would appear on his active service and medical records. Source: memories.net/timeline/david-aya-21022