World War I

This collection consists of selected records about World War I and its aftermath held by the City Archives.

While not responsible for defence, the City had various roles in relation to the war effort. For example the City:

• managed staff positions while servicemen were fighting and then returning to their roles
• approved and established war memorials in the locality
• approved public meetings in relation to the war effort, returned soldiers, charitable relief efforts or the conscription debate if held at the Sydney Town Hall
• was involved in some end of war/peace celebrations
• promoted post war reconstruction and employment in the Sydney local area.

The Council initially supported the war effort through fund raising and encouraging staff recruitment. The Lord Mayor’s Patriotic Fund was established just five days after Australia became involved in World War I. The lower Town Hall was used as a recruiting depot from August 1915 to February 1916 and a Red Cross depot where 30 women would make bandages from old linen for soldiers on the front line.

After significant losses at Gallipoli and the Western Front anti-war sentiment increased. In the immediate post-war period, the Labour dominated Council were strongly pacifist.

An estimated 558 council officers and employees enlisted to fight in World War I. 

To find even more items relating to World War I try the search tool.

See also World War II.