Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people please be advised that the following contains the names, images and objects of people who have died.
When: 28 July, 1914 – 11 November, 1918
Where: Europe, Africa, Asia, Pacific Ocean, Middle East, Pacific Islands
Why: Like most wars, the causes of World War I, The Great War, and the events leading up to it were complex. In the very simplest terms, however, the war began with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg, who was pregnant at the time. The Archduke was heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, so after his death his country blamed Serbia for his death and declared war on them. What came next was something of a domino effect, with countries declaring war on each other based on who they were allied with, or in an attempt to keep their nations safe. Following this was four years of death and destruction, leaving around 40 million people across the globe (both military and civilian) dead, missing or wounded.
1911; Archduke Franz Ferdinand with this wife, Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg and their children (from left to right): Prince Ernst of Hohenberg, Princess Sophie of Hohenberg, and Maximilian, Duke of Hohenberg.
Because
Australia was a dominion of the British Empire, when Britain declared war on
Germany the Australian government were eager to pledge their full support.
Thousands of enthusiastic Australian men rushed to volunteer for military
service, excited to have the opportunity to travel and to prove themselves. This enthusiasm would prove extremely costly
to Australia however, as from a population of less than five million people
more than 216,000 were killed, wounded or missing.
Australian War Memorial A03406
Volunteers queuing to enlist in the Australian Imperial Forces outside Victoria Barracks, Sydney, c.1914 - 1916
On 25 April, 1915 members of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF), together with troops from New Zealand, Britain, and France landed on the shore at Gallipoli in Turkey. Though a disastrous campaign, Gallipoli became etched in Australian public consciousness and became the iconic battle of WW1 for Australians and New Zealanders. One year later, on 25 April, 1916 the first Anzac Day was observed, commemorating those who had been lost at Gallipoli. This tradition continues today, though it is now a day to honour all of those lost in the service of Australia, not just at Gallipoli.
Who:
The Allies The Central Powers
Principal Allied Powers: German Empire
France Austria-Hungary
Italy Ottoman Empire
Japan Bulgaria
Russia
United Kingdom
United States
Associated Allies:
Serbia, India, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, Belgium, Montenegro, Luxembourg, Asir (Saudi Arabia), Nejd & Hasa (Saudi Arabia), Portugal, Hejaz (Saudi Arabia), Romania, Greece, China, Siam (Thailand), Brazil, Armenia.
The Townsville Connection
The end of the war was declared on 11 November, 1918. All over the world people flocked to the streets to celebrate. In Townsville, an Armistice Day parade took place along Flinders Street with hundreds of participants and onlookers.
Some of these buildings still stand along Flinders Street today. Do you recognise any of them?
https://collections.slq.qld.gov.au/viewer/IE1364625
Townsville Brewery employees riding on decorated vehicle in front of the brewery on Flinders Street in the Armistice Day Peace Parade, 11 November, 1918.
https://collections.slq.qld.gov.au/viewer/IE88452
Armistice Day Peace Parade, Flinders Street, Townsville, 11 November 1918.
https://collections.slq.qld.gov.au/viewer/IE1364643
Mounted troops leading servicemen in Armistice Day Peace Parade, Flinders St, Townsville, 11 November 1918.
https://collections.slq.qld.gov.au/viewer/IE1364658
Sailors marching in an Armistice Day peace procession in Flinders Street, Townsville, 11 November 1918
Want to Know More?
https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/atwar/first-world-war
https://www.britannica.com/event/World-War-I
https://collections.slq.qld.gov.au/viewer/IE1364625
Northern Beaches State High School wishes to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we live and work, the Wulgurukaba and Bindal people. We pay our respects to their elders, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.