How many Australians died in World War I?

An estimated 61,519 Australians died in World War I – around 1.2% of the total Australian population at the time.

On the face of it, Australia could have happily sat out World War I. It was on its own in the far corner of the world, not in any danger of attack or becoming embroiled in a largely European conflict.

Why did Australia enter World War I?

But at the time, Australia was a very young country. It threw off the colonial shackles when it federated in 1901. When war broke out, it was an eager puppy wishing to show it could be a big dog on the world scene.

The ties to the UK were still strong as well. When the UK and Germany declared war, Australia immediately offered full support. The first interventions were in what was then German New Guinea. But the vast majority of Australian soldiers ended up going to the Mediterranean. Combined with the men from New Zealand, they became the Anzacs – the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.

Australian deaths in World War 1

According to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, 416,809 men enlisted from a population of less than five million. But how many Australians died in World War I? Well, the Australian War Memorial puts the figure at over 60,000. Another 156,000 were wounded, gassed or taken prisoner.

Robert Fleming, in his book The Australian Army In World War I, states that 331,781 Australians served overseas during the war.

Of these, there were 210,000 casualties injured in some way. And, of these, 61,519 Australians were killed or died of their injuries. This represents a death rate of around 1.2%. That’s not of those who fought – but of the entire population.

The best places to learn about the Anzac story in Australian are the Australian War Memorial in Canberra and the National Anzac Centre in Albany, Western Australia. Tickets for the latter can be booked online.