Indigenous Australian, Private Henry Claude HAMILTON, 52nd Infantry Battalion. Henry HAMILTON was born in Inverell, NSW in 1872 and was working as a cook in Murgon, Qld when he enlisted age 44 with the first AIF in September 1916. He trained at Rifle Range Camp, Enoggera before embarking for overseas on board the troopship HMAT … Read more
Indigenous Australian, Private Charles William FOLEY, 13th Machine Gun Company & 49th Infantry Battalion. Charley FOLEY was well known around the islands of Moreton Bay. Born in 1881 on North Stradbroke Island to Charles Foley and Amy, he became a skilled fisherman and strong swimmer. In 1910 he saved the life of a fellow crewman … Read more
Indigenous Australian, Driver Joseph FLETCHER, 15th Infantry Battalion. Joe FLETCHER was one of 10 children born to Edward Fletcher and an Aboriginal woman in 1891. The family were farming cane at Tatura when Jo Fletcher volunteered to serve in the first AIF in September 1914, just weeks after Australians were called to fight for King … Read more
Noosa remembers: a history of the World War I memorials of Noosa Shire was launched at the Pomona Memorial rotunda Friday 8 September 2017. This date is significant as exactly 100 years before, on Saturday 8 September 1917, the Roll of Honour for Noosa Shire was unveiled and dedicated. As with many communities across Queensland, … Read more
Indigenous Australian, Trooper Joseph FITZROY, 11th Light Horse Regiment. Joe Fitzroy was born at Eulo, Qld in 1896 and was working as a station hand at Dynevor Downs Station when he volunteered to serve with the first AIF in July 1917. He chose to name his friend Robert Douglas of Mitchell as his next of … Read more
Indigenous Australian, Private William (Billy) ELSDALE, 9th & 49th Infantry Battalion. Billy ELSDALE was born in Normanby, Qld in 1883 and was employed as a police tracker at the Charleville station, when he volunteered to serve with the first AIF. He named his friend Jack Cockrane as his next of kin, when he enlisted in … Read more
Indigenous Australian, Driver Francis Walter Bertie FIRTH, 2nd Australian Divisional Mechanical Transport Company. Bertie Firth was born in Narrabri in 1888 to Patrick and Catherine (Kate) (nee McCarney). One of three brothers to serve, Bertie volunteered to serve in the first AIF at Barcaldine, where he had been working as a shearer. It was several … Read more
Guest Blogger: Leonie Fanning, Pioneer Valley Museum, Mirani Louis was the eldest son of Alfred and Naomi Fudge. He was born on the site of the Ingham tin mines and attended Mirani Primary School after his family moved to the district of Mirani, 37kms west of Mackay. On 18 November, 1915 Louis Robert Fudge enlisted … Read more
Indigenous Australian, Private Thomas (Tommy) DODD, 26th Infantry Battalion. Tommy DODD was born at Redcliffe Station via Banana, Qld. to half-cast Aboriginal woman Sarah Dodd in 1889, his father was known as Tiger. At the age of 14, Tommy and his two younger siblings Daisy and Polly were removed from their mother’s care and placed … Read more
Indigenous Australian, Trooper Frederick (Fred) Dodd, No.1 Depot Battalion. Frederick Dodd was born at Goomeri, Qld to Tommy and Topsy Dodd in 1893 and was working as a Stockman when he volunteered to serve with the first AIF in July 1917. Allotted to the Light Horse, he trained at Enoggera, Brisbane but was found to … Read more