Diamantina Remembers

For Australia, the First World War remains the costliest conflict in terms of deaths and casualties. From a population of fewer than five million, 416,809 men enlisted, of whom more than 60,000 were killed, 156,000 wounded or gassed, and 4044 taken prisoner of war, of which 397 died in captivity. Women provided the essential medical and other assistance throughout the conflicts including the Middle East, Western Front and on the Hospital Ships. Queensland, at the commencement of the Great War, had a population of fewer than 600,000, with nearly 55,000 enlisting. The War left a devastating effect on mothers, fathers, wives and other family members, as well as communities in which they lived; this effect was felt for many years after the cessation of hostilities. This book combines the historic story with images and documents of the Great War, with a timeline of the individual enlistee throughout his service to King and Country. Images and documents, of which some are over 100 years old, have been skilfully copied to improve clarity by the publisher. This book is dedicated to all the enlistees from the Diamantina Shire that volunteered for service during the past wars and hostilities.