Off to war: Australia answers the call

Britain’s declaration of war against Germany was met with unanimous support from Australia’s major political parties. Indeed Labor MP Billy Hughes (who would become our most significant First World War Prime Minister) went so far as to suggest that the coming federal election be postponed and a united government be set up for the duration of the war.

World map of the Queen's Dominions at the end of the nineteenth century.

The Queen's Dominions 1898. Public domain

The Australian Prime Minister at the outbreak of the First World War, Joseph Cook, supported the British declaration of war without question. If the British Empire was at war then Australia would ‘answer the call’ for the mother country and would also declare war against Germany and her allies.

Read his response as well as the reaction from Andrew Fisher, the Opposition Leader.

Men at the recruiting office at the Town Hall, Melbourne, to enlist for service in the First World War.

Collecting recruitment papers. Melbourne circa. 1914-1915. Public domain, Australian War Memorial.

Sir Joseph Cook, 6th Prime Minister of Australia.

Sir Joseph Cook, 6th Prime Minister of Australia. Public domain.

Whatever happens, Australia is a part of the Empire right to the full. Remember that when the Empire is at war, so is Australia at war … I want to make it quite clear that all our resources in Australia are in the Empire and for the Empire, and the preservation and security of the Empire.

Sir Joseph Cook quoted in the Argus newspaper, 3 August 1914.

Andrew Fisher, 5th Prime Minister of Australia.

Andrew Fisher, 5th Prime Minister of Australia. National Library of Australia, an23310939, public domain.

Turn your eyes to the European situation and give the kindest feelings towards the mother country at this time. I sincerely hope that international arbitration will avail before Europe is convulsed in the greatest war of any time. All, I am sure, will regret the critical position existing at the present time, and pray that a disastrous war may be averted. But should the worst happen after everything has been done that honour will permit, Australians will stand beside our own to help and defend her to our last man and our last shilling.

Andrew Fisher, 1914 found at ‘Australia's response to the war’

Governor-General Ronald Munro Ferguson

Ronald Munro-Ferguson, the Governor General of Australia (1914-1920), State Library of South Australia B3861, public domain.

I am struck by the observance of form here, as compared with Canada. Australia is certainly extremely English and extremely loyal in a quiet undemonstrative way. The Town Hall celebration of Empire Day was most impressive ...

Ronald Munro Ferguson

The country’s mainstream media believed that Australia should support the war effort and that troops be sent to fight. The Adelaide Register was typical of the mood when it declared that, ‘the Dominions regard the mother country’s quarrels as their own’.

A female figure bears the word "Europe" on the hem of her skirt, the little boy has the word "Australia" on his shirt and the caption reads "Your turn next".

Your Turn Next! Norman Lindsay. Drawing in The Bulletin, November 8, 1917. Public domain, Australian War memorial
Crowds line the streets to farewell departing soldiers during the First World War.

Source E: Marching down Collins Street during the First World War (circa 1914-1918). Public domain, State Library of Victoria.

The British fleet is our all in all. Its destruction means Australia’s destruction, the ruin of our trade and institutions, and the surrender of our liberties. The British Empire is our family circle and we cannot live outside it. These things are worth defending, for they include home and family, and everything we hold dear.

Melbourne Punch, 6 August 1914.

Never did a young Dominion cling more closely or show its deep-rooted sense of gratitude and affection and responsibility to the parent nation. Having helped to secure herself, Australia immediately offered troops for active service overseas. A tremendous wave of enthusiasm swept over the land, and the acceptance by the Home Government of that offer was the occasion of great outbursts of cheering by the crowds that thronged the streets of the chief cities and eagerly scanned the news sheets and official announcements posted in the newspaper offices.

Schuler P, Australia in Arms, 1916 found in Dapin M, From the Trenches, Penguin Group Australia, Melbourne, 2013

Australia has so far achieved nothing great from the national standpoint. It cannot be said to have failed because it has not yet been called upon ... the Australian must be prepared in the event of great emergency, to die for something or for somebody.

Buchanan A, The Real Australia, George Jacobs & Co, 1907, pp.20, 22

The public response to the outbreak of war echoed the sentiments of the politicians and media. Crowds gathered excitedly in streets following the announcement that Australia would fight.

A scene in Martin Place during War Chest Day. It was organised to obtain public support for troops overseas by gifts of goods and money.

War Chest Day in Sydney, 1917. Public domain, Australian War Memorial.

A key indicator of the public mood was an intense opposition to anything German. Almost overnight, respect for the more than 100 000 Germans living in Australia changed to hatred and suspicion.

Did you know icon.

Many places in Australia with German-sounding names had them changed during the war? This was especially so in South Australia which had a large German population.

This excerpt from the film 1915 shows a dramatised account of the typical reaction to war across the country.

National Film and Sound Archive

This show reel combines film footage of the recruitment, training and the departure of the First Australian Imperial Force.

Propaganda poster Australia crossed out and replaced by the phrase "New Germany"

New Germany poster, circa. 1916. Public domain, National Library of Australia vn-4938850-v

Activity icon

Complete a quiz based on the primary and secondary sources in ‘Australia’s reaction’.

Small pockets of society did oppose Australia’s decision to go to war. These included ‘conscientious objectors’ as well as minorities in the Labor Party and Catholic Church. This opposition increased as the war dragged on.