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Researching WW1 diggers and nurses

from Sunshine Coast region of Queensland


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2014 was the centenary year of Australia's first deployment of soldiers to Europe to fight in the First World War.

The purpose of the Adopt a Digger Project is to commemorate the centenary by honouring the men and women from the (current) Sunshine Coast region of South-east Queensland who fought in World War One either with the Army, Navy or Airforce. Criteria for a soldier's inclusion is either that he was born in the district, or his next-of-kin was resident in the district, or he enlisted in the district or he is commemorated on a local honour board or memorial. This same criteria applies to our nurses. Since the inception of the project we have decided to include the settlers who took up land at Beerburrum Soldier Settlement from 1916 as the Settlement is such a significant piece of the region's WW1 history. Our criteria dates are 1914 to 1925.

The aim of this website is to create a database which records each soldier's WW1 military history and a brief personal history. This database will be a valuable source of reference for historians, researchers, descendants and school students, and will be a significant contribution to the social and historical military records of Australia, and particularly the  Sunshine Coast region.

We held an exhibition in April 2015 to commemorate the Anzac Centenary and to remember and honour "our boys".

horse-operation-calaisMiss Gore and her girl helpers appeal for further funds to carry on the work of providing comforts and bandages for horses going to the Front. The smallest donations, they state, will be acceptable. One shilling and ninepence will provide a set of bandages for one horse. Over 10,000 bandages have already been used for troop horses, and more are urgently required. Oatmeal, linseed

meal, antiphlogistine, and other necessaries are sent with the bandages. Bush women are asked to help in this work of mercy.

Source: "The Queenslander" 3 July 1915.

Image: Horses underdoing an operation at the Operating Theatre at the Australian Veterinary Hospital at Calais, France. March 1919. AWM E04439