Key Points
- The Australian War Memorial estimates 1200 Aboriginal men attempted to enlist in the First World War, and 6,500 in the Second World War.
- Aboriginal people faced many restrictions to enlisting in the armed forces.
- Many went to extraordinary lengths to enlist including hiding their heritage.
- On their return, discrimination and restrictive laws were still part of everyday life for Aboriginal veterans.
- How many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people served in First World War and Second World War?
- What barriers did First Nations Australians face when trying to enlist in the military?
- What happened to Aboriginal servicemen when they returned home from war?
- How is Australia recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander military service today?
- What should you know about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history this ANZAC Day?
Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people served in Australia’s armed forces, including during the First and Second World Wars, often alongside non-Indigenous Australians—even when they were officially barred from enlisting.
Today, there is a growing effort to ensure their stories are recognised and remembered.
Ngunnawal/Gomeroi man Michael Bell is part of that work. As Indigenous Liaison Officer at the Australian War Memorial, he helps identify and recognise the service and sacrifice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples—both those who served in uniform and those who supported the war efforts on home soil.
Through this work, a clearer picture is beginning to emerge.
How many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people served in First World War and Second World War?
“We currently have just over 1200 Aboriginal men enlisted or attempted to enlist in the First World War, and we're estimating it's going to be about 6,500 men in the Second World War,” Mr Bell says.
These numbers continue to grow as more records are uncovered.
The War Memorial has statistically viewed the numbers of enlistments with known populations of Aboriginal people.
Despite facing significant barriers, the numbers are significant.
The rates of enlistments or attestations are the same as their non-Indigenous brothers and sisters.Michael Bell
What barriers did First Nations Australians face when trying to enlist in the military?
Aboriginal people faced restrictions when attempting to enlisting in the armed forces. These restrictions existed at multiple levels.
Aboriginal people faced limits on their movement across the country.
They were not recognised as full Australian citizens, and in some cases, not even recognised as people under the law.
And military policies often excluded those without European heritage.
Together, these created major obstacles for those wanting to serve.
Even with these restrictions, many people went to extraordinary lengths to enlist. One such man walked from Queensland all the way to Albury, Mr Bell explains.
“On his way he's tried to enlist five times, ultimately to get in, and unfortunately didn't get to serve because he passed away of illness on the ship on the way over to the battlefield. So it's the dedication and reenlistment of our men where they've been rejected for being Aboriginal, but go back and try again.”
Stories like this illustrate determination, resilience and a strong desire to serve country, even when that country did not offer equal rights.
What happened to First Nations servicemen when they returned home from war?
For many Aboriginal veterans, their sacrifices did not mean equality.
They returned to a society where discrimination and restrictive laws were still part of everyday life.
“Our men were fighting for rights in a foreign war that they weren't entitled to in their home countries,” Mr Bell says. “And to come home to a desperately unequal society, and they go back into segregation, the lack of legal acknowledgement, the restrictions on ownership of land, equal wages, the restriction of managing our children, the Stolen Generations, were in full swing.”
Some Aboriginal veterans were able to access benefits, but many did not, with broader social and political restrictions limiting support.
Even connecting with other veterans could be difficult.
Returned soldiers were often encouraged to join community organisations such as RSL clubs that support veterans and organise events like ANZAC Day ceremonies.
But many of these clubs were licensed venues, meaning alcohol was served, and Aboriginal people were often restricted from entering these spaces.
They were effectively excluded from both support and connection.
How is Australia recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander military service today?
In recent decades the Australian War Memorial has taken a more active role in uncovering and sharing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service.
“Our stories are shared equally and proportionately throughout all of our galleries,” Mr Bell explains. “We have Indigenous content in all the services, all of the galleries, all of the stories, all of our representations.”
There is no Black corner at the Australian War Memorial. What we do is tell the story equally throughout, as the veterans have asked us to do.Michael Bell
“In the uniform, they could only see themselves as the colour of their service such as the green, the blue or the grey for army, air force and navy.”
This approach reflects how many Aboriginal servicemen saw themselves—as soldiers first, serving alongside others.
At the same time, long-hidden stories are now being rediscovered and shared with families and communities.
“On the occasion where we have the only known photo of an Aboriginal man in our collection, and the family haven't seen it… we could provide that to them on behalf or in recognition of his service... and that's really touching and special for me—to be able to share that with the families that know this knowledge and information is held in an institution where we're positively trying to include the previously or lesser known story about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service.”
For families, these moments can be powerful, helping to reconnect with history, identity and loved ones.
What should you know about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history this ANZAC Day?
Understanding ANZAC Day means recognising both the contributions and the challenges faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
“It's about the full and total history of Australia and how it is today,” Mr Bell states, “not the unseen nation that we have been in previous years. And for the First World War guys, having to hide their heritage, we want to be able to encourage them, to see the full history of Australia as it is, not as it was written by previous systems that excluded our acknowledgement.”
ANZAC Day is a time to remember those who served in wars and conflicts and for many Australians, it's a moment to come together to honour history.
As these stories become more widely shared, they help paint a fuller picture of Australia’s past—and its present.
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