When Great Britain, France and Germany went to war, it meant that countries that were part of their imperial systems went to war too (see map). Even though Australia was no longer a colony of Great Britain, it was still a part of the British Empire. At the outbreak of war, Australian identity was still very British. Patriotic fervour greeted the news of the declaration of war. People gathered in the streets, singing songs like 'Rule Britannia': Rule Britannia! Britannia rule the waves Britons never, never, never will be slaves. Rule Britannia! Britannia rule the waves. Britons never, never, never will be slaves.
On the third of August 1914, the day before Great Britain declared war, the Commonwealth Government offered 20,000 Australian men to fight. Many of them were drawn by a sense of patriatism, while others were persuaded by the propaganda of the time, such as the poster below.
A large number of men enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force eager to demonstrate their manliness and loyalty and to experience a great adventure. They had no idea what was in store for them...
