Aust, US, Canada: migrant & native experiences: Aboriginal men waiting for their 2nd Australia imperial forces uniform,1940.

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Aboriginal men from Lake tyres, Victoria, waiting outside the quarter master's store for their 2nd Australia imperial forces uniform, circa 1940.

Lest we forget.

Photo credit: Argus newspaper.

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DeWarren Brock

Unfortunately Special Platoon 2nd aif was just a psyop recruitment drive to get as many "half castes" as possible. They were paraded as the only full aboriginal platoon.

As soon as the program was completed pmete every man was given an honorary discharge asthey didn't actually want nor would create a full aboriginal platoon. Who survived didn't even get their land grant bar Reg Saunders, Only after his men stood up for him.

Fascinating history but was just a recruitment drive.

(I'm Gunai Kurnai, Lake Tyres descendant. I have all the photos of Special Platoon etc. They trained at Wangaratta.)

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Katriona Hopkins

DeWarren Brock thanks for the clarification. Lest we forget the racism and appalling post-service treatment of aboriginal soldiers

Maureen Burns

DeWarren Brock Thanks for that background. That history needs to be told.

Craig H Proctor

My Dad's tent mate Rocky Jones was First Nations hero, he was a Black Rat of Tobruk, a name they affectionately gave themselves

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Hylton Smith

DeWarren Brock show us the documents to back this up

Michael Nicholas

DeWarren Brock couple of these back row fellers look like Ricky Harrison of NFA. Am I close?

2h
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Tracy Andros

DeWarren Brock mmm so the proof of this statement you make?

DeWarren Brock

Tracy Andros if you start with reading the government article I posted, then research the rest yourself

DeWarren Brock

Tracy Andros I NEVER once said dishonourable squad discharges !!

Perhaps, re read the articles !

DeWarren Brock

Tracy Andros tell your story walking. Trouble maker !

My point and post stands as fact about special platoon !!!

3h
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Edited

Tracy Andros

DeWarren Brock no honorary all Aboriginal squad discharge took place either.

Kathleen Mckavanagh

DeWarren Brock still don’t get a thank you today I did Red Cross and only once a white soldier said a poem he had written about his mate he was still in Army

DeWarren Brock

Kathleen Mckavanagh thankyou for your service in the Red Cross

Many a medic and paramedic go unnoticed

Kathleen Mckavanagh

DeWarren Brock never been in army’s match with my grandkids only volunteered 15

Nancy Long

DeWarren Brock any chance of names being attached to this photo. I'm sure LTB community would know.

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Tracy Andros

DeWarren Brock oh do half caste, are not full Aboriginal and therefore are not Aboriginal?

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Jinny Coyle

Thinking of our First Nations folk who fought for Australia we thank you

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Dev Lengjel

Lest we forget for, if they came back, they were still fauna and flora and could not drink with their white Australian mates at the pub. Until 1967!

12h
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Joy Nandan

Dev Lengjel couldn't drink at the pub with mates and couldn't even vote!

Chia Moan

Dev Lengjel in 1981 at the pub in Tabulam there was a window onto the car park for Aboriginal to buy beer, not allowed inside.

Murphy Surf

Dev Lengjel I remember my father buying beer for his indigenous mate who was not allowed to enter the pub and this was around 1975

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Rae Katene

Dev Lengjel my husband was kicked out of a pub 1970 's

Darrell Thomas

Each and every one a true Australian.

Robert Campbell

Dev Lengjel i used to drink whiff aboriginal mates in 1959 so get your facts right it's people like you that cause trouble

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Andrea Wallis

Dev Lengjel it was after 1967...

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Rob Walker

Dev Lengjel isn't booze what they blame us for? Can you find a better example?

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Bhaeravii La Brys

Let the public who voted No re the referendum understand their commitment to this country though taken by force from them originaly

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Justin Jamieson

We could fight in the war defend the country but we weren’t legally recognised as Australian citizens until the late 60s how’s that work?

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Rebecca Coles

My great uncles (Nyoongar) fought in World War I

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Val Scott

Brave men. Shameful history as they were never treated equally on their return.

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Fiona Lund

Lest We Forget

Bobbie Barrfield

Thank you all for your service

Kerry Scholes

A shame we will always wear

Tracy Andros

Kerry Scholes how do come to that conclusion?

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Les Ridgeway

Kerry Scholes exactly and look what happened to those who managed to return home. They were at the time not considered part of society back than.

Tracy Andros

Kerry Scholes are you the voice for all Australian Aboriginal people?

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David Lomasney

Kerry Scholes Just like every soldier ?

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Pete Tremain

Kerry Scholes I think Kerry means a shame that Australia must wear. Not Aboriginal people. And rightly so. Australia has a shocking history of treatment of Indigenous service men and women. Never has Lest We Forget meant more.

Amanda Christine

Kerry Scholes speak for yourself. The people didn’t put them in that position. The government did.

Steve Sheffield

Kerry ScholesKerry Scholes No it died with that generation.

I recognise this, but am not guilty of shame

Lynn Dilley

What a day to remember

Men with honour and integrity

Lorraine Henshaw

What a handsome looking lot

Tracey Jeffery

Lest we forget

Dennis Revell

Honestly You People ,,, A Person Who introduces A Bill Or Referendum Must Be Able To Explain The FULL Contents Of What He/She Is Proposing . Also When Questioned On This , He Had No Frigging Idea What He Was Talking About . This Was A Very Important Ref. For The Aboriginal People & Albo. Failed To Bring It About Because Of His Incompetence ... So Get With It When You Call Me Racist , I'm Far From It ...

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Julie Appo

Dennis Revell the Referendum failed because the other political parties removed their support. Mr Albanese forged ahead because of his commitment to Indigenous people. And let’s not forget a huge percentage of racist Australians who voted NO.

John Anear

Dennis Revell what a ridiculous opinion is that.

John Anear

Dennis Revell it was explained. And it’s finished. Your bent

Kate Gates

John Anear I don't think it was explained at all clearly. I still voted Yes because I was hoping for a voice for the original people who's land was stolen and we live on and benefit from living on this beautiful land. Justice would be good

Michael Rosenberg

Dennis Revell Maybe it wasn't explained with a capital letter for each word

Dennis Revell

No Race Card ,, Just Plain Common Sense ... Explain Totally What You Are Trying Sell , & Be Able Prepared To Explain What You Are Selling When Requested , Not Some Darn Mumbo Jumbo Crap ... Accept the Fact That Your Hero Failed To Do So When Required .... I Was Quite Prepared To Vote Yes , But No Way Was That Going To Happen Without Full Details Of What His Ref. Actually Meant . I Don't Buy A Box Of Tools Unless I Know What's In It Mate & Neither Were The Majority Of Australians , Black Or White ... No Racism As You Like To Sprout , Just Common Sense ...

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John Brinklow

Treaty ,treaty ,treaty .

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James Neil

After fighting in Africa and being indigenous my uncle was kick out of the Sydney RSL because of the colour of his skin than went to PNG and died fighting for this country after being treated like shit all his life

Karen Brown

James Neil so unjust

Bruce Cousar

James Neil RSL was as racist as the rest.

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Ron Hill

James Neil Thanks for sharing James. You have many friends in the south.......

Rhonda Olifent

And these men also fought under the Australian Flag….Lest We Forget ?…that as well. We fought as one! Not divided!

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Tracy Andros

The 2nd Australian Imperial Force (AIF) had special all-Aboriginal volunteer platoons, including one at No. 9 camp in Wangaratta, Victoria. This platoon was established in 1940. In addition, the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion, formed to defend the Torres Strait, was composed largely of Indigenous Australians.

Here's a more detailed look:

Special Platoon at Wangaratta:

A special all-volunteer Aboriginal platoon was raised in 1940 at the army's training camp in Wangaratta, Victoria.

Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion:

This unit, which included around 745 Indigenous Australians in 1943, was specifically formed to defend the strategically important Torres Strait.

Northern Territory Special Reconnaissance Unit (NTSRU):

Another dedicated Indigenous unit, the NTSRU in Arnhem Land, was also formed for service within Australia.

Other Indigenous Units:

The Australian War Memorial notes that there were also other irregular forces raised, including a unit formed by coastwatcher John Gribble on Melville Island, consisting of 36 Indigenous Australians who patrolled the coast and islands.

While these were not formally called "platoons" in the traditional sense, they were distinct units of Indigenous Australians serving in the AIF, often in roles that leveraged their knowledge of the land and skills in specific areas.

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Maureen O'Dempsey

Lest we forget

Jennifer Murray

Fought for their country and then tossed aside on their return to Australia - disgraceful!

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Kaye Fitton

Brave men.

Martin Andrews

Yes GREAT true photo did they ever get the recognition they truly deserved.

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Kody Andy

Aww so glad to see family in a post bruz aww. Mad

Ash Roberts

All Australians, all the time!

Barbara Knight

I salute them, such bravery,,

Judith Train Previati

Great men to serve . And never got any Recognition, Hope they received their medals for help protect our country.

Sue Goddard

Beautiful men, thank you all.

Katie Ayrton

Thank you for serving.

Michelle Louise

Great pic. They all look so happy. Pity the treatment they received post war.

Louise Paxinos

Handsome men x

Zeta Mongta

2nd man in the back row is my mums brother Otto Logan

Di Skirts

Thank you to all of those amazing warriors

Barbara Holtham

Proud man thank you for your service

Sandy Crawford

Brave men

Jane Frances Shephard

Lest We Forget.

Taz Luke

Not enough recognition

Garry Staines

Disrespect again shocking

Briony Lia

Beautiful enthusiastic faces so unaware of what they were about to face

Lest we forget

Lest we forget

Beautiful faces

Looks like a deadly mob

Debra Sanders

Brave men all

Suzanne Lynch

Lest we forget - bless all involved in this sad time for all

Lest we forget

Lest we forget.

Lake Tyers

Bunch of handsome diggers...hope they all came back.

Lynette TE Huia

Thank you for your service

Lest we forget.

True men

Lake Tyers

Such brave men..R.I.P

Trevor Dennis

Now that's a great photo and a great bit of history

Garth Ross

Never ever see these men in Anzac Day poster or parades pictures sadly

Veronica Groat

So proud of our First Australians

Lorraine Reilly

Brilliant photo

Robyn Phillips

Lest we forget

Sandra Adams

Thank you for your service.

Kim Wallace

Least we forget The corporation has forgot

Nada Jones

We appreciate them even if they weren’t appreciated at the time.

Le-Anne Deckers

Thank you gentlemen

Scott Mengel

Thank you for your service- Lest We Forget

Garry Staines

Thank them 4 their service finally recognition. Lest we forget

Fred Monaghan

Our Warriors

Sherrie Atkinson

I have nothing but the greatest respect for these men. Incredible to think they took on this war. Never acknowledged enough. Lest We Forget.

Heather Vaughan

Lest we forget. Lake Tyers

David Elward

Brave men standing up to protect the Australian way of life and our country . I doubt many would do what they did these days.

Kathleen Humphries

My mother-in-laws uncle served in the first world war . On his papers is not aboriginal but man of dark completion. They need man but only men of dark completion. If you were Maori you were alright.

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Maxine Brown

Lest we forget.

Matt Glenn

i'm sure they were their at gunpoint ...

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Stewart Coolwell

No aboriginal got recognise in the war

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Judy Bevan

Lest we forget.

Heather Black

Thank You

Pamela Reichert Stackman

Yes we are all Australians

Natisha Pitt

Lest we forget

Peter's Bryce

Well no platoon but my maternal grandfather served in the infantry at Tobruk

He was assigned as a headquarters guard

Ingrid Cullen

sad history that could have been so different. Still fighting for fair treatment.

Brad Roberts

This Gentleman was the last of our famous 28th Māori Battalion, "God, King and Country"

We as Māori lost a lot of our Leaders at home due to the Wars especially WW1 and WW2 and those that did return were damaged for the rest of their lives - The non - Māori service Men and Woman were very supportive of Māori soliders as they did their duties and served like them but on return the Māori soliders were not given the same respect, true story for those that remember because they played their role, and yet the current NZ Government to still argueing of the "Treaty of Waitangi" go figure - "What was the price of Citizenship?" - So much thanks to these proud soliders that served their country

and died for a better Australia and their own country

great role models for people to look up to - We're looking forward to our 4th #ANZAC day here in Australia tomorrow morning

Lest we Forget

May be a graphic of 1 person and text that says "28 AORI BATTAL ダ SIR ROBERT NAIRN 'BOM' GILLIES "War is a waste of time. It solves nothing. But it makes some people rich, and I think that's what war is all about." 1g mãori"

Deni Gliddon

Lest We Forget

Lynne Henderson

Fine looking gentlemen every one.

Peter John Davis

Bless. Lest we forget

Danielle Lawson

Great hardy men

Peter's Bryce

Just a add on my father was 3RAR at Kapyong were Captain Saunders fought

I believe Reg Saunders was C company and my dad was D company

Anama Tesser

And we did forget those men, Lest we Forget

Paul Wray

First Nations people still can’t have voice to parliament , Let’s not forget they fought for this country.

Lest we forget these proud souls who like my father fought for this country, it’s time for a treaty of their recognition.

Renée Clair Farmer

Thank you for your service

Margaret Smeaton

I wish someone would make a doco or movie about the contribution and sacrifice these men made.

Helen Reid Giles

Lest We Forget ⚘️

Kath O'Brien

Lovely faces.

Ian Barker

All smiles , ready and willing , same as if they were in a footy team.

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Robert John Warburton

Great to be an Australian, lest we forget

Simon Ridley

Thank you for your service.

Lest we forget

Louise Burford

Lest we forget

Tracy Andros

Brave men recognised on their merit

We have many examples of outstanding combat bravery that Indigenous members of the AIF brought to the battlefield.

Private (William) Albert Knight was a Kurnu Barkindji man born at Toorale Station near Louth, about 160 km south-west of Bourke, New South Wales. As a young man, he worked as a farm hand . Knight and two of his brothers enlisted in the AIF. In September 1918, Knight was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for ‘conspicuous gallantry’ in an attack on the village of Bony.

Private William Reginald 'Bill' Rawlings was a Gunditjmara man born near Purnim, Victoria, in about 1890. As a young man, he worked as a horse-breaker. Rawlings was one of many men from Framlingham Aboriginal Station who enlisted in the AIF. In July 1918, he was awarded the Military Medal for leading a bayonet charge at Morlancourt, France. Rawlings was killed in action on 9 August 1918 and buried at Heath Cemetery, Harbonnières.