1) Why did Australian men volunteer to enlist in WWI?
Pay
The army provided an extremely good regular wage that almost doubled the wage of a Labourer. The Australian Solider receiving 6 shillings a day was the best paid soldier in the world. The decision to enlist was very attractive because it was the time of high unemployment and a weak economy.
Adventure/Travel
'The chance of a lifetime', this was the chance for many young single men enticed by a 'Free tour of Great Britain and Europe' to leave their boring jobs and do something exciting and travel which they would never normally be able to do. AIF members became known as the '6 bob a day tourists'. It was also a thought to be apart of history.
Patriotism
Men at the recruiting office at the Town Hall, Mel...
English: The Parliamentary Recruiting Committee pr...
Military men standing in front of military service...For both England and Australia, many immigrants and Australians with British heritage felt they had to defend England. Many Australians also felt the need to defend England 'united by the crimson thread of kinship'; they also felt they were fighting for Australia's defence. By defending England they ensured Australia's defence.
Duty
During the high casualty rates of Australian Soldiers after Gallipoli, Pozieres and the Somme when things were bad, many men felt that it was their duty to enlist. "I was never a great man for heroics but... there are some things worth more than life" (Lt J.A Raws 12/7/15)
Social Pressure
All eligible men were also expected to enlist by society. This was reinforced by mates, employers, family who encouraged their sons to enlist and single girls who would send a white feather to eligible men who thought they were cowards because they did not enlist. Australia was the only country that did not have an inscription to apply.
All these...