Contributions to the war

• Military Service

  An estimated 3,000 Indigenous Australians enlisted in the armed forces during the WW2.
• Military service

  Indigenous men were among the first to volunteer for service, with 50 men from the Northern Territory enlisting the day after the war began
• Specialised Units


  Indigenous Australians were recruited for specialized military units that utilized their unique skills and knowledge of the land, such as the Northern Territory Special Reconnaissance Unit and the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion.
• Specialised Units

  These units were responsible for coastal patrols, surveillance, and defending Australia's northern coastline and islands against potential Japanese invasion
• Civilian contributions

  Indigenous men and women contributed to the war effort as civilian laborers in various industries across Australia, including farming, construction, manufacturing, and domestic service. Indigenous women also served in the auxiliary branches of the Navy, Army, and Air Force, filling roles such as clerical work, communications, cooking, and health care.
• Support for families

  • Indigenous wives, daughters, and sisters played a vital role in supporting families while men were away serving, often under emotionally trying circumstances.
  • They provided essential emotional and practical support as their loved ones transitioned to post-war life, especially those who returned with significant mental and physical health problem
• Roles and responsibilites

  Indigenous soldiers served in combat roles, as well as in support positions. They participated in key battles, including those in North Africa, the Pacific, and New Guinea.
• Stat

  1 in every 20 Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people made a direct contribution to Australian WW2 efforts.
• Important contributions

  • Military service overseas in all theatres of the war
  • service in skilled militias to defend and protect Australia's northern coastline
  • provision of civilian labour in Australia (Like working in factories and farms which helped maintain the economy during wartime)
  • Many served overseas with the infantry or air force in some of the war's earlist campaigns in Euroope and Middle East
  • Many also fought aganist Japan in South- East Asia.
  • Some Indigenous service men died serving their country while others became prisoners of war (POWs). (That showed bravery and commitment)
• Role of Indigenous women

  • Many learned valuable new skills and joined services with Army, Air Force and Navy.
  • Australian Women's Army Service (AWAS)
  • Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF)
  • Women's Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS)

  In these roles many were

  • clerical (in admin)
  • communications
  • cooks, cleaners and kitchen staff
  • drivers
  • health care
• As civilians they contributed in a variety of industries across Australia due to the demand of Indigenous women and men because of labour shortages

  • farm assistants
  • building labourers
  • butchers
  • domestic staff
  • drivers
  • fishermen
  • weaponry factory workers
  • dockworker