Posted 28 October 2014
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade launches database of Irish serving in Australian forces in First World War
Charlie Flanagan TD, The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade has launched a database of Irish-born individuals who served with the Australian forces in the First World War.
The publicly accessible database allows for Irish and Australian people to trace the records of their relatives who served in the War, known today as “Anzacs” which refers to the “Australian and New Zealand Army Corps” of the First World War. It also provides statistical information to help researchers understand the contribution of the Irish to the Australian war effort.
The project was compiled by the Australian University of New South Wales (UNSW) in partnership with University College Dublin. The database was funded through a grant from the Department’s Emigrant Support Programme and by the Global Irish Studies Centreof the University of New South Wales. The director of the project is Dr Jeff Kildea, Keith Cameron Chair of Australian History at University College Dublin.
“This pioneering work was made possible by the Global Irish Studies Centre of the University of New South Wales; the invaluable partnership of UCD; and a grant from the Irish Government’s Emigrant Support Programme. It is a true tribute to the Irish Anzacs and a gift to researchers, family members of Anzac participants, and all us who possess an abiding interest in our history,” said Minister Flanagan.
“One third of the Australian population boasts Irish ancestry. Ongoing academic collaboration between UCD and UNSW, two superb institutions of learning, is representative of the strength of our people-to-people ties.”
“This year is the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, which claimed more Irish lives than any other conflict. Irish and Australians stood shoulder to shoulder in Gallipoli and at the Somme, and I am delighted that [today] we continue to work together in more peaceful times,” he added.
To access the database visit: www.bit.ly/1rAOjK3
(Produced by UCD University Relations)
