Volunteers queuing to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force outside Victoria Barracks, Sydney

On 5 August 1914 Australia joined other countries in the British Empire and declared war on Germany. Men quickly enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF), which was to fight alongside the British Army. By the end of the year, more than 50,000 men had enlisted at a rate of nearly 10,000 per month.

Men were enlisting for a number of reasons: patriotism, the excitement of action, travel, and for the pay, which was among the most generous of any Allied army. This pay was particularly attractive as Australia was in the midst of a drought and depression.