World War I

WORLD WAR I – 1914 – 1918

“They shall grow not old”

On 28 June 1914, the Arch-Duke Ferdinand, heir to the throne of Austria was assassinated by a Serbian nationalist. The Russians entered the argument in support of the Serbs, and Germany would back the Austrians. A month later, Australians learned from their Thursday morning papers that Austria had declared war on Serbia. On the same day, the Prime Minister received notification of the impending involvement of Britain in the conflict – “On the 30 July, 1914, a cablegram in secret cipher from the British Government to the Government of Australia informed it that there was imminent danger of war.” [The Story of ANZAC – , p. 1]

Two days later, they learned that Germany “was waiting for war” and had issued an ultimatum to the Russians. What this meant to Australians was that if war broke out, France would be required to come to the aid of her Russian allies against Germany and Austria, and in doing so would cause a domino effect of allegiance, causing Britain to go to the aid of the French, and since Australia was a British colony, we too would be expected to answer the call.

The Government made its position clear on the issue of Australian involvement, when on July 31st, 1914, the Minister for Defence, Senator Millen publicly stated “Australia will recognise that she is not merely a fair-weather partner of the Empire, but a competent member in all circumstances.” On the same night, the Leader of the Opposition (Labour), Andrew Fisher, stated whilst speaking at a gathering in Colac, Victoria, “Should the worst happen, after everything has been done that honour will permit, Australians will stand beside the mother country to help defend her to our last man and our last shilling.” On the following Monday night (August 3rd), Sir John Forest, then the Treasurer of the country, was in Busselton, WA giving a speech. During his talk he stated “If Britain goes to her Armageddon, we will go with her. Our fate and hers, for good or ill, are as woven threads.”

And so it was that following the ensuing events in Europe, on the night of 4 August 1914 (9am 5 August in Sydney New South Wales Australia), Britain declared war upon Germany and the Australian people would be expected to participate

ISRAEL CENTENERARY 100 yr CELEBRATION BEER-SHEVA.

On 31 October 1917, at Beer-Sheva in Israel, there was a celebration honouring the fallen of the Australian Light Horse Regiment in defeating the Turkish entrenched soldiers at that location where the WW1 defeat occurred. Many veterans and Government officials from associated Nations of about 2000 persons attended at that War Memorial.

Other events included a visit to the actual location of the attack at Tel Beer-Shiva the site of Abraham’s well where  Kelvin Crombie addressed visitors on his tour group.

Fleurieu Family History Group  members Graham and Pauline Redman and some of their friends attended this event on that date. A great Uncle of Graham’s on his mothers side of his family, Alfred Lake was one of those Soldiers who died there in 1918.