NSW Police as recruitment agents
Police officers were seen as key members of local communities, expected to have knowledge of the people in their local area, as well as being able to effectively communicate official information amongst the community.[1] On 26 August 1914, New South Wales Premier, William Holman, suggested to Prime Minister, Joseph Cook, that the NSW Police Force act as the state-wide recruitment agent for a second contingent,[2] in co-operation with Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) medical officers to carry out examinations of candidates.[3]
New South Wales Recruitment Campaigns
Throughout World War I the NSW State Government worked in conjunction with the Commonwealth Government and military authorities, in recruiting for the Australian Imperial Forces (AIF) in the 2nd Military District, which encompassed much of the state. Key recruitment activities, functions, and initiatives of the State Government of NSW included (from 1914-1916):[1]
British Recruitment Posters
This selection of colour and black and white recruitment posters are all from British Parliamentary Recruiting Committee and date from around August 1914 and 1915. The colour posters are from NRS 12133 and the black and white posters are glass plate negatives from the Government Printing Office (NRS 4481).
In Service
With the declaration of war on 4 August 1914 Australia found itself fighting a war (for the most part) on the other side of the world. The people of New South Wales responded to the new wartime demands in a variety of ways. Many volunteered to serve their state and the Commonwealth of Australia as soldiers and nurses.
