Gallipoli's Aboriginal servicemen honoured

• New book dedicated to Western Australian Aboriginal servicemen

• About 50 Aboriginal men fought during the Gallipoli campaign  

The unknown story of 13 Aboriginal servicemen from Western Australia who fought at Gallipoli have been brought to light in a new book.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Peter Collier said 'They Served with Honour: Untold Stories of Western Australian Aboriginal Servicemen at Gallipoli' was remarkable.

"These men enlisted to serve their county despite being subject to restrictive laws that excluded them from the wider non-Aboriginal society," Mr Collier said.

The opportunity to serve gave Aboriginal men and women throughout the country the means to achieve a degree of equality not experienced since European settlement.

The stories not only look at the soldiers' war experiences but also touch on their lives prior to enlisting and following their return.

"There are tales of courage, valour, of finding love, and of their continued struggles after the war," the Minister said.

"Denied equal rights, their transition to civilian life was traumatic, and military service had done little to enhance their ability to obtain full-time work.

"They could not even attend an RSL club to share a beer with their fellow soldiers.

"This publication is the first step in ensuring that the contribution of Western Australian Aboriginal servicemen in World War I is recognised and preserved forever."

       Fact File

• They Served with Honour was researched and written by the Department of Aboriginal Affairs with contributions from staff and the families of the soldiers

• The department plans to continue this work to recognise more than 120 Aboriginal servicemen who served in World War I

• The book will be available at http://www.daa.wa.gov.au/

Minister's office - 6552 6300