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State Library of Queensland Regional Coordinator Niles Elvery said a number of stories of past soldiers, including that of those from Stanthorpe, were being showcased. "One story we have come across when researching Indigenous servicemen in World War 1 is Percy Anderson,” he said. "He was only 15 when enlisted, so he was one of the underage soldiers to join up. "It's amazing to think a young fellow that age had that interest and commitment to join the army. "War 100 years ago was very different. I think people kind of understand what these people went through. This gives people the chance to make a connection with the records.” Source: www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/warwick/wwi-artefa...

James (Cooterman) Cairncross – 3610 47th Battalion, 10th Reinforcements, then 25th Battalion James Cairncross was aged 40 when he enlisted in Brisbane on May 14, 1917. He had spent his early years on North Stradbroke Island, and listed his next of kin on his enlistment papers as Margaret Rollands (Brown), also known as Granny Mibu. He had worked as a labourer. James was wounded in France, and returned to Australia in January 1919. “Jimmy Cooterman was known by his Aboriginal name of Jungi. Uncle Jungi was born at Myora Mission on North Stradbroke Island [Minjerribah]. When he outgrew the mission school, a doctor named Cairncross took him to live at his home on the mainland. At the outbreak of World War 1, he enlisted under an assumed name of James Cairncross for though his skin was rather fair he was ineligible for military service as a native ward. He served overseas in the 25th Battalion in France. In 1917, the 25th Battalion was part of the 2nd Division’s first wave at the battle of Menin Road in Belgium. Victory here was followed up with the capture of Broodseinde Ridge on 4 October. The 25th reprised its role from Menin Road, in what was its last large-scale offensive action for the year. Uncle Jungi was wounded twice in France during that year of 1917. After the war Uncle Jungi settled at Sandgate and from there operated as a fisherman owning his own boat and gear and also some property. He eventually sold off all his assets and went to live at North Arm near Nambour until he died. He was buried with military honours at Woombye soldier’s cemetery. His descendants are still closely associated with their traditional lands on Minjerribah/North Stradbroke Island and still continue to live on country.” Information supplied by family member, Sandra Delaney James Cairncross is not listed on the Roll of Honour. Source: stradbrokemuseum.com.au/first-world-war/

Bertie Beckett Indigenous Australian, Bertie BECKETT, Light Horse Depot Regiment. Private Bertie BECKETT volunteered in May 1915 to serve with the first AIF. Bertie was married with three children, and living at the Aboriginal mission at Barambah, now known as Cherbourg. Bertie was among 17 Aboriginal men who were recruited during a drive by the Queensland Recruiting Committee on 14 May 1917. 10 days later in Brisbane, during a patriot speech given by recruiting officer Lieutenant Colonel [Chaplain] David Garland, a line of Light Horsemen rode past each leading a riderless horse. The 17 recently recruited men from Barambah took up these mounts in a [staged] demonstration of their patriotism and paraded along Queen Street to ‘considerable cheering.’ However, their inclusion in the first AIF was short-lived. All 17 recruits were discharged just 30 days later on Wednesday, 13 June 1917, for “having been irregularly enlisted”. The men were returned home to the mission, under escort, with out any receipt of payment or any discharge documents. The AIF was brutal in its response when queried for their action – ‘a coloured man must have been associated with white people for some time prior to enlistment’ – and those who were considered too dark ‘would not make soldiers’. Source: centenary184.rssing.com/chan-39477427/all_p16.html