World War I: Recruitment

The call to defend Australia, and the British Empire, inspired thousands to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF).

The call to defend Australia, and the British Empire, inspired over 52,000 Australians to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in 1914.

As the war dragged on, Britain asked Australia to provide more troops and the Australian government adopted various strategies to encourage further enlistment.

These campaigns often aimed to influence the entire community—not just those men eligible to enlist. The community’s response to the call for more soldiers was varied and, at times, divisive.

By the end of the war, a total of 416,809 Australians had enlisted.

Curriculum areas

Year 9 History

Questions

What strategies were used to encourage recruitment during World War I?
What sections of the Australian population were targeted in recruitment campaigns? How did this change over time?
Why did so many Australian men volunteer to enlist in World War I?

Records

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Australian recruitment statistics for World War I

This printed document, entitled The Great War 1914–1919, shows the number of men in Australia who enlisted for military service during World War I.

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A British recruitment poster 'Forward to victory. Enlist now'.

Forward to Victory. Enlist now – British recruitment poster

This is a British poster that was used to aid in the recruitment of soldiers during World War I.

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A script written for a proposed Australian recruitment film titled A Hero of the Dardanelles.

Recruitment film 'A Hero of the Dardanelles' - script

This script was written in 1915 for a proposed Australian recruitment film titled 'A Hero of the Dardanelles'.

Record

This is a letter from Edward Drew's parents giving their permission for him to enlist.

Parents providing consent for their son to enlist in World War I – Edward Drew

A letter from Edward Drew’s parents giving their consent for him to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force in 1916. Men under 21 required permission to enlist.

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Wounded soldiers encourage enlistment - postcard

This is a postcard showing wounded soldiers appealing to civilians to enlist. On the reverse of the postcard is the poem 'The Shirker's Chorus'.

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Letter suggesting deployment of Australian postal women in Egypt and France

This is a copy of a letter written by Elsie M. Paynter, regarding deployment of female postal officers during World War I.