First World War - The South Australian Experience

The First World War had a significant impact in South Australia, as in the rest of Australia, and the world. 

This was the first war in which Australia took part as a federated nation. Between 1914 and 1918 a total of 416, 809 Australians enlisted to fight, including 34, 959 South Australians. They were joined by 300 South Australian women in the Australian Army Nursing Service. Almost 30 000 South Australians served overseas, and more than 5000 died. (Wilfrid Prest, Kerrie Round & Carol Fort, ‘First World War’, SA History Hub, History Trust of South Australia, https://sahistoryhub.history.sa.gov.au/events/first-world-war, accessed 4 April 2022.)

The State History Collection reflects experiences of those serving overseas, those on the home front, and the ongoing impact of world events in South Australia.