1914 - 1918 ANZAC Centenary - Australia in the Great War
The Great War of 1914-1918 touched the lives of all Australians. From a population of less than 5,000,000, more than 330,000 Australians sailed across the world to join this 'war to end all wars'. What was initially considered a great adventure exacted a great toll. Some 60,000 would die, more than 155,000 would be physically wounded and tens of thousands more would carry the mental scars of war to their graves. The story of the Australian Imperial Force's fight begins at Gallipoli. The courage shown on this rugged Turkish peninsular gave rise to a sense of national identity, pride and spirit which carried Australian troops through the trenches of Europe and the deserts of the Middle East.