SOME RELEVANT WEBSITES
These websites relate to Indigenous service in World War 1, remembrance, location of service and related records and sources of family information useful in locating Indigenous WW1 volunteers.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander War Memorial http://www.reconciliationsa.org.au/learn%20aboriginalandtorresstraitislanderwarmemorial.html
AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL http://www.awm.gov.au/
Photographs; Red Cross records relating to prisoners of War; Embarkation and Nominal Rolls; Roll of Honour; Decorations and Awards. The AWM site also includes brief histories of WW1 units and Personal records some relating to Aboriginal servicemen.
BRIGGS GENEALOGY Tasmania
http://www.ivanlea.net/sub_pages/briggs.htm
This genealogy contains the names of Briggs descendants who served in WW1
CATHY DUNN’S ABORIGINALS WHO SERVED IN WORLD WAR ONE [MILTON ULLADULLA AREA NSW]
http://www.ulladulla.info/aboriginals-who-served-in-ww1
GARTH O’CONNELL’S INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS AT WAR http://www.aiatsis.gov.au/collections/exhibitions/iaaw/home.html
IAN R SMITH’S SOUTH AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINAL SOLDIERS OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR
http://aboriginalww1veteransofsouthaustralia.blogspot.com
INDIGENOUS WAR MEMORIAL SOUTH AUSTRALIA http://aboriginalww1veteransofsouthaustralia.blogspot.com.au
JAN ‘KABARLI’ JAMES FOREVER WARRIORS (Western Australia)http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/37567943?versionId=49039304
JOHN SCHNARRS’ HONOURING INDIGENOUS WAR GRAVES www.hiwg2005.websyte.com.au
PAUL MACKETT’S CENTRE FOR INDIGENOUS FAMILY HISTORY STUDIES http://www.cifhs.com
NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF AUSTRALIA
http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/fact-sheets/fs136.aspx
Army service records – Fact sheet 136
The National Archives holds the service records of the First AIF.
RAY MINNIECON’S COLOURED DIGGER MARCH REDFERN NSW http://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/history/anzac-day-digger-march.html
THE SHRINE, VICTORIA
http://www.shrine.org.au/getattachment/About-Us/Media/Media_Release_-_Indigenous_Australians_at_War_-Shrine-of-Remembrance-touring-exhibition.pdf.aspx
WARRNAMBOOL INDIGENOUS REMEMBRANCE http://www.spec.com.au/blog/2010/10/30/history-made-for-indigenous-soldiers
Yes! Finally something about home.
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Hi I’m researching a man on our Karuah, NSW War Memorial by the name of Jack Milton. I’m certain he went to war prior to 1916 and that he was “half-caste” as he described himself and possibly young. I think he enlisted under a different name as there is no record of him in Nominal rolls or embarkation. He was possibly a fisherman or oysterman .
Newspaper records mention him frequently and say that he was wounded 3 times and returned through Melbourne in 1917.. His full name was possibly John E Milton as this is how he signed himself in an article in the paper 1924.
I’m really keen to find him and bring his memory back to our town. Again newspaper records (Raymond Terrace Examiner) indicate that he was here in town in 1923 and 1924.
Any help would be greatly appreciated
Benita Parker
Hi Benita
I also drew a blank but here are some comments.
One possibility is that Jack was a nickname and he had another. He had a wife and child in Jan 1918 mentioned in an article on the infokoori online index so presumably had at least the wife when he joined the AIF.
I can’t find a marriage for Jack/John or a death which looks right, so this reinforces the possibility he had another Christian name but was known as Jack
Newspaper reports and Our AIM magazine (for the latter infokoori index) show he had enlisted by at least January 1916 and returned to Australia by end of 1917 and to Karuah by the beginning of 1918.
Our Aim –
Date 01 Jan 1918
Page p.4
Note “Our sister, Mrs Ping, has returned from the hospital, telling by her brightness and joy and peace that is now hers through Jesus. Later a little son came to gladden the home of Mr and Mrs John Ridgeway… Private Jack Milton, with his wife and baby daughter, came home just after Christmas, and we gladly welcome our brother after having spent two years at the front, and being three times wounded
There was a Fred Milton at Karuah died 1923 of appendicitis according to OUR AIM in infokoori – Could be his father or brother. Fred’s death certificate should show age and children. An article I found from the infokoori index shows that Fred was married.
More about Fred from the Australian Cemeteries index says
Laing
Emily May 1873? 23 Mar 1963 89 née Ping; dau/Joseph & Mary; w/Frederick G Milton & John Fogo Laing
Cemetery: Karuah NSW
Person Id: 7130238
Surname: Laing
Given Names: Emily May
Birth Surname: Ping
Birth Date: 1873?
Death Date: 23 Mar 1963
Age: 89
Gender: F
Portion: Meth
Row: 8A
Spouse Given Names: Frederick G Milton & John Fogo
Father’s Name: Joseph
Mother’s Name: Mary
Remarks: née Ping; dau/Joseph & Mary; w/Frederick G Milton & John Fogo Laing
I looked at some NLA Trove newspaper articles mentioning Jack Milton – nearly all saying he was wounded three times. I could not find the letter you mention in which he gives one of his initials as E. This works against my theory that Jack was a nickname although not necessarily so.
Another possibility is that data entry for his service record could show him as Hilton – the M and H confused by the NAA data entry person.
Although he is linked with Karuah he could also have links with Taree/Purfleet or other N Coast places or he could have come down from Queensland.
It is very baffling. You mention the possibility of his using an alias and this seems a real consideration. Are there any people at Karuah who remember the Miltons who may contribute something which could help?
Philippa
Hi – we ran into a similar problem with 2 recruits here in WA, and it turned out one enlisted under his mother’s maiden name, the other under his stepfathers surname! Could be an idea maybe? We also have 2 other men we are researching from our honour board, who I suspect were of aboriginal descent. It’s a longwinded theory, and I haven’t found either of their names on any lists of serving aboriginals. Is there a way I can find out for certain, or someone who could help me? If they are indigenous men, then we would like to see that acknowleged.
I’m looking for information on Joseph Bernard Firth born 1882 in Pilliga NSW he is linked to the famous three Firth Brothers Ernest Charles and Francis he served in the Second World War in the volunteer defence Corps part time Private N294138i think his son served as well Vincent Vernon Firth b1923/1926 any other information would be appreciated
Thank you
Tracey