E is for Enlistment

When Australia joined the war on the side of the British, many men raced to the nearest Army barracks to enlist.

(Above) A line of men waiting to enlist. (AWM A03406)

Some thought joining the Army would be good fun. Others thought the war would be a great opportunity to travel. Some thought that England was under attack, and Australia would be next. And some just thought it would be exciting.

By the end of the war (1918), nearly half a million Australians had enlisted. That is more than 10 times the size of today’s Army.

(Above) Two enlistment posters from World War One.
(Left: AWM U5167; right: AWM V7626)

Click here for more information about enlistment