Why soldiers enlisted in WW1
To what extent did Australian’s enlist in 1914 to defend the ‘Mother Country’?
There are many reasons to why Australian’s went to war in the 1914; everyone had different reasons for applying for this life- threatening job. Some went for the thrill, to get a job, to get away from the drought and some people even had war fever. On the other hand, some people went because they felt like it was the right thing to do and because everyone else was doing it. A lot of time people think only about the soldiers that went to war and forget about the women who also enlisted as nurses and did other important jobs. England was like home to the Australian’s but is that really why they went to war, when it comes down to it this is only a small reason as to why the Australian’s enlisted.
Australia (as a country) felt a loyalty towards the 'mother country', Britain and that the war would be a good opportunity to improve Australia's international reputation. Many individual Australians also joined the war for a variety of reasons. Some felt a strong loyalty to Britain who had supported Australia, and now, they felt, was the time for them to 'do their bit'. Others enlisted simply to prove they were brave enough to fight, but some enlisted because their friends had. Some simply enlisted because they needed a job, pay, and regular meals, but many enlisted in the army for an adventure, not knowing the true horrors of war.
Private A.J. McSparrow (former railway worker from Parramatta, NSW), was one of the many men who enlisted because he felt that it was his duty to support the 'mother country' "I have (enlisted) ... and I don't regret it in the very least. I believe that it is every young fellow's duty. There are far better men than any of us have already… besides every paper one lifts it has something to say about young fellows being so slow in coming forward… we are the sort of young men who should go.”
Private Antill enlisted because he needed the money, clothes and food
There are many reasons to why Australian’s went to war in the 1914; everyone had different reasons for applying for this life- threatening job. Some went for the thrill, to get a job, to get away from the drought and some people even had war fever. On the other hand, some people went because they felt like it was the right thing to do and because everyone else was doing it. A lot of time people think only about the soldiers that went to war and forget about the women who also enlisted as nurses and did other important jobs. England was like home to the Australian’s but is that really why they went to war, when it comes down to it this is only a small reason as to why the Australian’s enlisted.
Australia (as a country) felt a loyalty towards the 'mother country', Britain and that the war would be a good opportunity to improve Australia's international reputation. Many individual Australians also joined the war for a variety of reasons. Some felt a strong loyalty to Britain who had supported Australia, and now, they felt, was the time for them to 'do their bit'. Others enlisted simply to prove they were brave enough to fight, but some enlisted because their friends had. Some simply enlisted because they needed a job, pay, and regular meals, but many enlisted in the army for an adventure, not knowing the true horrors of war.
Private A.J. McSparrow (former railway worker from Parramatta, NSW), was one of the many men who enlisted because he felt that it was his duty to support the 'mother country' "I have (enlisted) ... and I don't regret it in the very least. I believe that it is every young fellow's duty. There are far better men than any of us have already… besides every paper one lifts it has something to say about young fellows being so slow in coming forward… we are the sort of young men who should go.”
Private Antill enlisted because he needed the money, clothes and food