The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Australian First World War poster concerned with the issue of conscription. As voluntary enrolments into the AIF fell after the initial enthusiasm of 1914, the conscription suggestion gained prominence. Compulsory military service, or conscription, for eligible men was in force in Australia from 1911, however, these forces were for home defence and could not be drawn on for overseas service. Conscription for overseas service was furiously debated in Australia and Prime Minister W.M. Hughes called two referendums in 1916 and 1917 to vote for the proposal. Both referenda were narrowly in 1916. Australia and South Africa were the only two participating nations not to introduce conscription in the First World War.
Small circular pressed tinplate badge with a celluloid face and a pin attachment to the reverse. A silhouette of Australia is in white on a red background with `NO' in red lettering in the middle of i
Australian First World War recruitment poster based on the original British version, which was published in 1915. Depicts cheering troops embarking on a train for the Front. Recruitment posters were
Small circular pressed tinplate badge with a celluloid face and a pin attachment to the reverse.`VOTE NO' is printed in red in the middle of a white silhouette of Australia on a blue background. Curve
Small circular pressed tinplate badge with a celluloid face and a pin attachment to the reverse. `VOTE YES' is printed in red over the Australian red ensign and the Union Jack on crossed staffs. Betwe
First World War pro-conscription poster by cartoonist David Low, published by John Sands Ltd. Depicts a smiling Kaiser holding a Berlin newspaper; the front page emblazoned with the text 'Kolossal Gew
First World War pro-conscription poster by cartoonist David Low. Depicts a war-weary woman sitting at a table with a ballot paper in front of her. The oversized boxes for 'Yes' and 'No' remain blank a