Australian Imperial Force
An Australian Imperial Force (AIF) was raised for World War 1 and again for World War 2.
When War broke out in 1914, and again in 1939, Australia had a small number of officers and soldiers in the Permanent Military Force. They had enlisted to serve for a period of 3 years, but only on Australian soil. There were also a large number of men who had received basic training in the Australian Cadet Corps and the Citizen Military Force. They could not serve overseas either.
World War 1
On 3 August 1914, the Australian Cabinet announced they would contribute a force of 20 000 men to serve alongside the British Empire troops. On 14 August 1914, the Federal Government called for volunteers between the ages of 19 and 35, from all over Australia to join the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) that could be sent anywhere in the world for the duration of hostilities. The ships carrying the 20 000 soldiers sailed from Australia on 1 November 1914. Nurses were encourged to sign up with the Australian Army Nursing Service AIF and their records are indexed here amongst their male counterparts. The four squadrons of the Australian Flying Corps were also part of the AIF, and their records are also indexed on the Australian Air Force page . The war ended on 11 November 1918, and more than 150 000 soldiers were transported back to Australia over the next 12 months. The AIF was officially disbanded on 1 April 1921.
World War 2
On 15 September 1939, the Federal Government called for male and female volunteers from all over Australia to join the Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF) that could be sent anywhere in the world for the duration of hostilities. The 2nd AIF was officially disbanded on 30th June 1947.
Click on the buttons for World War 1 and World War 2 to see the records from each conflict.
World War 1
World War 2