World War I also known as the great war was a global conflict between two powers; the Allies and the Central Powers. It is commonly agreed upon that the assassination of the Archduke of Austria Franz Ferdinand was the most immediate cause triggering the global conflict.

Australian involvement in World War 1 was significant. As a member of the British Empire the Australian military joined the war in 1914, Prime Minister at the time Andrew Fisher famously states “Australia will stand by her mother country to help and defend her to the last man and last shilling”.

One of the most important events in Australia’s invovlement to the war effort was the formation of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who would go on to fight many key battles. The Gallipoli Campaign (1915) was the first major actions for the ANZAC’s. The mission aimed at securing the Dardanelles and creating a secure supply route to Russia would turn into a disastrous stalemate where over 8,000 Australians were killed in action and becoming a defining moment in Australian history.

After Gallipoli Australian forces were sent to the Western Front in France and Belgium, where they fought in some of the wars most brutal battles, including the battle of the Somme, Pozieres, and Passchendaele. Australian soldiers were often held in high regard known for their resilience and ability to fight. By the end of the war over 60,000 Australian’s had died and more than 150,000 were wounded.