Commemorating World War 1
Lucas Fragale
The causes of World War 1
One of the main causes of WW1 was the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria by a Serbian nationalist in 1914. Other causes of WW1 were political, economic, and territoral conflicts, between the great european powers.
The Australian involvement in War
Australians soon found themselves playing an important role in what was thought to be 'the war to end all wars. Australia, although a Federation since 1901, was still a member of the British Empire. This meant that when Britain declared war on 4 August 1914 not only were the French and Russian empires forced to join the British, but Australia also found herself at war. In 1914 Australia's prime Minister, Andrew Fisher, immediately promised Australian support for Britan. Australia sent 324,000 to serve. 61,720 died and 155,000 were wounded.
Women also served during war as members of the Australian Army Nursing Serice, healing the injured and providing help to the wounded. A total of 2562 women served in the war, both overseas and in Australia. 25 of them died. They also worked in Australia for organisations such as the Red Cross and the Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau, packing supplies. Women were also left wth the job of keeping families together that lost someone in war.
The significant battles of World War I for Australians Gallipoli and Western Front
Some of the main battles for Australia in WW1, were
-Gallipoli, Turkey
-Fromelles on Somme, France, July 1916
-Bullecourt, France, 1917
-Messines, Belgium, 1917
-Ypres, Belgium, 1917
-Hamel Spur, France 4 July 1918
-Mont St Quentin, France
-Peronne, France
-Hindenberg Line, France
THE IMPACT OF THE GREAT WAR ON AUSTRALIANS AT HOME
World war 1 hugely affected the soldiers them selves, but also their families at home. The amount of trauma that each and every soldier went through is unbelievable. They saw there own mates and soldiers being killed, right in front of there eyes. They had the constant fear of being killed and were unsure what could happen. There wives, children and family would have no idea what was going on and were not sure if they would ever see them again. When the soldiers that did survive, arrived home they were not able to deal with the trauma. They fell to pieces because of the torment they went through and sometimes went through phsycological help to recover from their experiances from war. They would often have flashbacks and nightmares of war and were never able to live the same again. Some others would suffer from life long injuries, having blown of limbs and other types of severe injuries. Wives were forced to support whole families and look after children all on there own.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ANZAC DAY FOR AUSTRALIANS
Anzac day is a very special day for Australian's and New Zealanders. It marks the anniversary of the first day of fighting during WW1. Rememberence day is celebrated every year on the 11th hour, of the 11th day of the 11th month. A minute silence is held to remember all the soldiers lost fighting in war. There are several memorials all over the country and on anzac day there are dawn services held all over nation to remember all the soldiers. Anzac day is on the 25th of April.