On the home front during World War One

The wars in which Australia has been involved have had profound effects on the lives of those at home in South Australia.

Women

Women supported the men who went away to fight through fundraisers, providing comfort packages and through such organisations as the Cheer-Up Society.

In the day-to-day domestic affairs of women who remained in civilian life there were the problems of shortages of many of the usual goods and services.

Wives and mothers caring for families single-handedly were often lonely. Communications were limited by transport problems and restrictions imposed by censorship. Many endured the agony of long periods of uncertainty about the fate of their loved ones.

The South Australian Red Cross Information Bureau performed the service of undertaking research into over 8,000 enquiries from family and friends of missing Australian Imperial Force personnel fighting.

Children

Australian participation in the World War One impacted on many aspects of the lives of children. School and family routines were disrupted. Restrictions were imposed on some foodstuffs and services. The absence of fathers, brothers and other relatives serving overseas had a profound effect on family life. As with the wives and mothers of soldiers, children endured the long anxious wait for news of the fate of family members.

Children were encouraged to contribute to war efforts. Propaganda campaigns enlisted school children's support of patriotic organisations. A short history of the South Australian Children's Patriotic Fund, Patriotic work in our schools, describes fundraising efforts - salvage and recycling programs, and the knitting of 'trench comforts' (socks and other woollen garments for soldiers serving in Europe) - undertaken by the children of South Australia.

Further information can be found in our Library Guide Children and World War 1.

Civilian contributions

Some South Australians supported the war effort in different ways, such as Lance De Mole who submitted his design for an armoured vehicle with a chain-track tractor movement - a precursor to the armouored tank - the the British War Office.

Returning home

When servicemen returned home after the War they could participate in soldier settlement programs.