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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".

anzac memorial

How it Works

Step 1. Choose a Digger
Browse the Diggers Database and choose a Digger you would like to adopt. You can adopt several Diggers if you like.

Step 2. Register for FREE
Register online to become an Adopt a Digger researcher. It's Free.  REGISTER HERE

After submitting your details you will be returned to the homepage and you will see a message "You may now log in."

Step 3. Login
Use the login button top right to enter the login details you use when registering.

Step 4. Reserve a Digger
You will be redirected to the Adopt a Digger form. Let us know which Digger you are adopting and we will reserve him for you.

Step 5. Research your Digger
Follow the guidelines to research your Digger.

Step 6. Enter Digger's Information
Once you have collected some data return to the site and login.
Under the "Diggers Database Tab" you will notice three new buttons:
Adoption Form
Make a Submission

Enter your new data under "Make a Submission". You can return at any time to add more information. Simply go to Digger's page and you will see an edit button at the top of the page.

Because you are working online, internet drop-outs and website session time-outs can occur.  Therefore, we highly recommend saving your work every 15 minutes to avoid losing many hours of data entry.  Once your work is saved, it will not be lost in the event of lost connectivity.

NOTE:
All initial entries are approved before the Digger will be available on the site. Allow up to 48 hours for approval.