Black diggers notes

- Black diggers honours the memories of the Aboriginal men and their families and through
them demonstrates the long history of national service and participation in public life by
Indigenous Australians.
- Racism: In Black diggers, Aborigines were discriminated against and were not allowed to
have the same rights as white people. Despite this, Aborigines enlisted to fight for their
country, hoping for change to occur. Even after the war, Aborigines were still discriminated
against, i.e Aborigines were not allowed to have the given land grants offered to returned
soldiers, their sacrifices where ignored.
- During service, the black diggers still continue to face racism and discrimination during their
service. During the war, the white men have to leave their prejudices behind in order to
survive. This means cooperating with the black diggers to prevent German oppression for
Australia. In other words, Indigenous men are only valued because of the temporary,
exceptional, upside down state of the world at war. (Theme: Racism).
- War, Violence and shellshock: Black diggers confronts the acts of senseless and extreme
violence that forever transforms its subjects’ lives , leaving them traumatized and stuck in
the past once they turn from soldiers to veterans.
- In his letter to Aunty May, Archie writes how his fellow soldier attempts suicide and fails
because of war’s pointlessness. This suicide leaves the man faceless, a detail that symbolizes
the anonymity of the suffering during the war. (Theme: War, Violence and shellshock)
- The end of the war exacerbates the soldier’s pain rather than alleviating it. After fighting for
their nation Australia, they end up with the same jobs they started off with, the same
discrimination and war injuries. Tommy, Bertie and Ern’s conditions are typical- they reflect
the pain that they have suffered but also accentuates the fact that they have not received
any psychological help or financial assistance from the government they risked their lives to
defend. (Theme: War, Violence and shellshock)
- Australian nationhood and indigenous dispossessions: The play draws clear parallels
between colonialism and the war, it shows how Indigenous people saw the war as an
opportunity to overcome the wounds of colonialism- to join the nation rather than being
isolated. It gave the Aborigines hope for change and for equality to occur within their
community.
- The play’s Indigenous characters recognize, some openly and some implicitly, that the
Australian nation is found on the theft and plunder of their lands and culture. The first scene
in the play Black diggers depicts a group of white settlers taking over the land of Aboriginal
people. This scene emphasizes the Indigenous people’s subsequent struggles, but is also a
critical moment in the foundation of Australia. In other words, it is impossible to separate
Australian national identity from the genocide of Australia’s Indigenous peoples. (Theme:
Australian nationhood and indigenous dispossessions)
- After returning from the war, they never win the acceptance that they were promised.
Instead, they are forced to confront the continuity between the forces they are fighting
against and the military forces that stole Australia from them in the first place. (Theme:
Australian nationhood and indigenous dispossessions).
- The play Black diggers attempts to rewrite the myth of nationhood- that Australia is a white
country built on empty land which sent white soldiers to fight in World War 1, by showing
how Indigenous Australians continually lived the shallow of the Australian story, suffering
through Australian’s nations creating and nevertheless fighting for its interests in the war.
(Theme: Australian nationhood and indigenous dispossessions).
- History, memory and the Archive: The play Black Diggers places emphasis on the tragic pain
that was inflicted on Aborigines. The play seeks to correct and rewrite Australian history by
centering Indigenous experience and honouring the black diggers the way that the
Australian government never did.
- The play commemorates the bravery of the Aborigines who enlisted and serviced in the war
despite being discriminated against and not having the same rights as their fellow white
peers in the War. Tom Wright’s decision to turn fragments into full characters represents the
same kind of transformation he hopes to effect in the public eye, the development of a
coherent narrative about the forgotten soldiers that he portrays as well as recognition of the
very importance of bearing witnesses. (Theme: history, memory and the Archive).
- Legacy: The play commemorates the legacy of the Aborigines that lost their lives fighting for
a country that discriminated against them to stop German oppression from occurring.
- Tom Wright condemns the Australian government back in the 1900s, highlighting the need
for equality and more appreciation for the sacrifice that Aborigines made for their country
despite being discriminated against. Tom Wright praises Aboriginal people for their courage
to persevere and continue to fight for their rights. (Theme: legacy).
- Sacrifice: The play focuses on commemorating the loss of Australians who lost their lives
willing to protect their country from German oppression. It acknowledges Aborigine
Australians who were willing to fight for their nation despite having less opportunities than
white men.
- Hope for change: The theme of hope for change is presented through the younger
generation who join the army in the hope of earning respect and acceptance when they
return home, thus is highlighted through the theme of naivety and sense of optimism which
Bertie, Nigel and Archie have in the first half in the novel.
- Bertie’s mother remains cynical and distrustful, in contrast to Bertie who is willing to take a
chance and trust the Europeans and fight for the new concept of Australia in the hope that
he will achieve equality with his people. The theme of hope is also portrayed through the
songs in the play such as “The World’s turned upside down”, featuring lyrics highlighting the
optimism of the Aborigines for change such as “The white men need us colored boys now”,
and “Here in the shit every face is brown”. (Theme: hope for change)
- “Sons of the Southern Cross” also symbolizes the theme of hope for change through its
optimism and upbeat tone in the backdrop of the formation of the young commonwealth
and the young country called Australia. (Theme: hope for change).
- Isolation and abandonment: Bertie, Nigel, Archie and Harry experience isolation and
abandonment after fighting in the war. Even during their service in the war, they were still
discriminated against. However, Indigenous Men are only temporarily valued due to the
upside down state of war.
- The end of the war exacerbates the soldier’s pain rather than alleviating it. After fighting for
their nation Australia, they end up with the same jobs they started off with, the same
discrimination and war injuries. Tommy, Bertie and Ern’s conditions are typical- they reflect
the pain that they have suffered but also accentuates the fact that they have not received
any psychological help or financial assistance from the government they risked their lives to
defend. (Theme: Isolation and abandonment).
- Human spirit: Tom Wright presents the human spirit through the struggle of the Aborigines
against injustice and primarily through the themes of trauma and memory.
- The theme of human spirit is also portrayed through the theme of naivety and the sense of
optimism prevalent throughout the novel in songs such as “Sons of the Southern Cross” and
“The world’s turned upside down”. (Theme: Human Spirit)
- Historical context: Black diggers focuses on the unlikely and largely forgotten intersection of
two essential stories in Australian history: Australian forces’ participation in World War 1
and the genocide and legally sanctioned discrimination against Indigenous Australians by
white settlers.
- “Oh hell, don’t tell me it’s a bloody picaninny.” (Settler, Page 13). Picaninny means a small
black child. Here, the theme of racism is present, the white settlers discriminate against
Aborigines and do not treat them the same as white people.
- “let the dogs worry about it”. (Boundary rider, Page 13). The Aborigine is described as it,
shows the white people’s condemnation of Aborigines and how they are not considered as
worthy as them. The baby is compared to an animal, showing their discrimination and
highlighting how the Aborigine is not worthy to live.
- The opening scene of Black diggers at Bellenden Ker, Queensland narrates the foundational
event- the largely forgotten and downplayed genocide of Aboriginal Australians, that is
fundamental to both the founding of the Australian state and the history of Indigenous
Australians. While the Taxidermist saves the child in this scene, he is not more sympathetic
than the rest of his group or less blood thirsty. He only saves the child for being a physical
curiosity, worth displaying in a museum or a zoo because he exemplifies the character of an
“Aboriginal Australian”, whom scientists believed could have been less evolved than white
people.
- “Perfect specimen”. (Taxidermist, Page 14). This shows how the baby Aboriginal is being
looked at as though it is an animal. The writer implies here the lack of equality shown for
Aboriginal Australians compared to white people. Tom Wright criticizes the Australian
government for the discrimination shown towards Aborigines and the suffering that they
inflicted on Aborigines.
- The Retired Schoolmaster’s speech is ironic as both the war is being fought on the other side
of the world and he seems to have forgotten that Australian was founded by “swathes” of
foreign invaders. When he refers to “us all”, he is thinking only about white people. This
shows how Aboriginal people are erased from ideas of Australian identity even while being
massacred on the same land.
- Poem of “sons of the southern cross” represent the unity and pride of Australia. The
southern cross was a symbol for the fight for Australian independence from the British
Empire and has more recently been used by Australian white nationalists. It also shows the
concept of that nation being built on the backs of Indigenous people and reconceived as to
exclude them from Australian society.
- “No, he’s an ape. But they’re related to us”. (Taxidermist, Page 19).
- “I’ll tell you one day. Look, a chimpanzee. They are our closest relatives”. (Taxidermist, Page
20).
- “The world- the bigger, grown up world- is a complicated, difficult place.” (Taxiddrmist, Page
20). The taxidermist is talking to Nigel as his son wanting to protect him from the horrors of
the world and not yet tell as to how his parents were killed.
- “Reason: Of strongly Aboriginal appearance” (Ern, Page 23).
- “Substantially European”. (Recruiting SGT, Page 23).
- “Flat feet (Aboriginal)” (Norm, Page 23).
- “No white parentage” (Bob, Page 23).
- “Very strongly aboriginal in type”. (Clerk, Page 25).
- “The white man needs us coloured boys now (Page 31, Line 4 in Poem the world’s turned
upside down”). This shows how the Australian society fails to achieve equality and respect
Aboriginals. It is only when the war starts that white people only temporarily let their racism
 inside to protect their country and survive. In a way, the war temporarily unites both
Aboriginals and White people.
- “Here in the shit every face is brown”. (Page 31, line 5 in the poem the world’s turned upside
down). This is a song to explain how the situation has changed since the war has begun.
- “We can’t have darkies in the same battalions as white chaps”. (Page 24). The secretary at
the recruiting hall demonstrates the attitudes of many about Indigenous trying to enlist in
the army. Aboriginal people are seen to be inferior compared to white people.
- “You see the world’s turned upside down”. (Page 31, Line 6, 7 and 9 of the song “The world’s
turned upside down”). This is a reflection as to how the war has worsened and has
ultimately changed Australia’s position.
- “Them Australian niggers, live on the creek bank, never wash.” (2 nd Trinidadian, Page 36).
This demonstrates the stereotypes and attitudes towards Aboriginal Australians.
- “They slow, them Australian niggers”. (2nd Trinidadian, Page 36). This demonstrates the
stereotypes and attitudes towards Aboriginal Australians.
- “… you reckon you can waltz around with all the white boys do you? That they’ll make life
easy for you, suddenly you’re their dearest little black mate. Suddenly, you’ll be a man, and a
white one at all? That doors will open for you? Do you?” (Mum, Page 38). Bertie’s mum is
not convinced that Bertie will achieve equality and isn’t sure what Bertie hopes to achieve by
enlisting in the army. The things that Bertie’s mum enlists are the things that Aborigines
hope for; equality, opportunity, friendship and freedom.
- “Think the coppers like to talk about it. Must be a magic fairy land somewhere with oak
trees and shepherds pie. Don’t see much Australia round here.” Bertie’s mum shows the
concept of Australia as a nation is not supported by everyone and that there is still a division
in attitudes. In doing so, Tom Wright criticizes the Australian government in the 1900s for
their racism and segregation between white people and Aboriginal, highlighting the
importance of equality and unity within a country.
- “That’s what the world’s like, son. You can go to the Tower of London or the Pyramids or
wherever, it’s still the world. And you won’[t be allowed through the wire”. (Bertie’s mum,
Page 40). Bertie’s mum seems to have a pessimistic mindset to the world based on her
experiences of being discriminated during to being an Aboriginal. This relates to the theme
of belonging and discrimination. Tom Wright places emphasis on the importance of
optimism and respect towards Aboriginal people. The taxidermist is forewarning Nigel of the
true reality of the world.
- “They need me. They need lads. For the first time, they need us. Changed the rules, make It
easier for aborigines they reckon”. (Bertie, Page 40). Tom Wright emphasizes that there is
only temporary acceptance of Aboriginals because of the downward state of war. Even when
Bernie serves his country, he is still discriminated against by his white peers.
- “That’s what this war will be like for you. There’s no fancy land at the end”. (Bertie’s mum,
Page 40). This foreshadows what Bertie’s life will be like after serving for his country in the
war; that his life will remain the same. Bertie’s mum is not hopeful for change for
Aboriginals. Bertie will still be discriminated against even after sacrificing his life for his
country.
- “Someone decent. All these blocks, you’re going off to lick their boots. Same blokes, same
boots that have kicked us for years. And you can’t wait”. (Bertie’s grandad, Page 40). Bertie’s
grandad cannot understand why Bertie would want to enlist. This was a common attitude for
a lot of the older generation and many Indigenous soldiers believed things would change
once they had served.
- “I can’t even imagine what it would look like. All I hope is that it’s changed.” (Harry, Page
41). Harry hopes for Aboriginals to be viewed the same as white people, that they are not
discriminated against. This was a common attitude for many Indigenous soldiers who
believed things would change once they had served.
- “We’ll always have a beer with you”. (Stan, Page 41). Stan promises Harry that he will always
have a beer together afterward, which underlines Harry’s hope for race relations to change
in Australia because of Indigenous soldiers’ inclusion in the war.
- “If you blokes have a beer with me, then that’s a start”. (Harry, Page 41). Harry longs for
equality between Indigenous Australians and white people, underlining his hope for race
relations to change.
- “You’re as good as a white man, Harry.” (First white soldier, Page 41). A white solider tells
Harry that he’ll have a drink with him when they return home. This statement highlights how
Indigenous Australians were viewed differently because they had served alongside white
soldiers in the war. However, this was not the case for every Indigenous soldier.
- “Can’t put history back in the bottle, mate.” (Ern, Page 43). Ern tells this while he and some
mates are expressing their frustration for the lack of progress in the war.
- “And all these hedges and flowers and we don’t know the names of any of them. And when
they burn the smoke is different and it will lead him a different way”. (Bertie, Page 44).
Bertie explains the importance of the land to Indigenous people and is worried that Frank’s
spirit may not make it back home.
- “Can’t make it out. Hold on. We have to find a way to get him home.” (Bertie, Page 44).
- “This is the first one who looks like me. No, he can’t get buried in this dirt. Or if he is we
need to make sure he knows how to follow me, to get back, follow me on the ship, follow
me on the train, back to the river”. (Bertie, Page 44). Bertie continues to express his
concerns.
- “Even the officer looked at me with new eyes, the half caste was rising in estimation”.
(Ghost, Page 47). The ghost believes he was looked upon more favourably after he’d
successfully taken three German machine gun nests.
- “But me, I’m moving, Moving in my own way across rivers, even if they aren’t my own. And
I’ll be here til everyone’s forgotten everything that happened and the dirt can go back to just
being dirt”. Ghost, Page 48). This foreshadows Bertie, Harry and Ern’s treatment after the
war, they are still being discriminated the same way after the war. The ghost reflects on
being buried on foreign land.
- The song ‘Our god, our help in ages past’ (Page 51) echoes the strong message of assurance,
promise and hope; assurance in the words ‘from everlasting you are God to endless years
the same’, promise in the words ‘our shelter from the stormy blast and our eternal home’;
and hope in the words ‘O god , our help in ages past, our hope for years to come’.
- Time is an important theme in the song ‘Our god, our help in ages past’. In verse five, there
is a beautiful image of time ‘like an ever rolling stream’ bearing all its sons away. The world
sons brings to mind those who went off to war in Europe and Asia and never came back. God
is surely our “guard while life shall last, and our eternal home”. (Page 51, Song). This relates
to the theme of remembrance and forgetting, which juxtaposes Harry, Ern and Bertie being
forgotten after serving their country.
- “He shot himself in the face”. (Archie, Page 52). In his letter to Aunty May, he emphasizes
the traumatic and detrimental effect that war has had on many individuals.
- “He hasn’t got a face”. (Archie, Page 52). The repetition of this line emphasizes the futileness
and the traumatic experiences of war. Archie emphasizes the horror of the wars.
- “No one mentioned the colour of my skin from the day I enlisted. I copped more for going to
a private school”. (Nigel, Page 55). Nigel talking to a prisoner of war. This shows how the
colour of his skin has not caused him any issues since he’s been in the army. This conveys
how the attitude towards Aboriginal Australians have temporarily changed due to the
occurrence of the war.
- “When they look at you, they cannot see the Australian. Just as when they look at us, they
cannot see we are British. (Indian, Page 56). Tom Wright highlights the attitudes that were
shown towards Aboriginal people.
- “But one day we shall not be British. This Private will always be Australian, he has nothing
else to be”. (3rd Indian, Page 56). An Indian prisoner of war demonstrates his understanding
of how Nigel is nothing but Australian.
- “We are in good spirits here, all is well. Your loving son”. (Medical orderly, Page 57). The
medical orderly tells Bertie to lie to his mother. This shows how the Australian government
prevented soldiers from saying anything to home that would allow citizens to comprehend
the horror of war. In doing so, Tom Wright criticizes the Australian government.
- “Not that you’ll know mind, but you’ll feel it. You’ll be somebody”. (Ern, Page 58). Ern tries
to reassure Bob, but is also reassuring himself that things will be different when they come
home. This relates to the theme of hope. Both Ern and Bob long for the desire to be seen as
equal as white men and to be treated the same, i.e have the same opportunities, land, etc.
- “They won’t forget you mate. You’ve fought for the King for Country. For our country. For
Australia”. (Ern, Page 58). Ern tries to reassure Bob, but is also reassuring himself that things
will be different when they come home. This relates to the theme of hope for change. Both
Ern and Bob long for the desire to be seen as equal as white men and to be treated the
same, i.e have the same opportunities, land, etc.
- “Maybe the folks will be different. But the land stays the same. The names get changed
around it, they change the names of the plants and the birds and the reivers and then they
change what the words mean. But the sun still gets up in the morning”. (Norm, Page 59).
Norm shares the sad reality that when the men return home; that things will have changed
but not the important things.
- “And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not” (Archie, Page
62).
- “Schwarzer teufel. Schwarzer teufel mit weisse Augen”. (Austrian, Page 65). This translates
to Black devil. Black devil with white eyes. The Austrians are referring to the Aboriginal
people and this juxtaposes between the racism shown towards Aborigines by white people
in their society.
- “But in the service, you are forged into something… not white, you’re not erased of your
past, but it’s… it’s… incorporated into who you are, and you realise- maybe on parade,
maybe with mates, I don’t know- you realise, “I belong”. (Bloke with a glass of wine, Page
67). This relates to the theme of belonging. This also juxtaposes many of Ern, Bertie, Norm
and Harry’s view that change in attitude towards Aboriginal Australians will change after the
war.
- “But on the other hand, it made me, and it made us, for better or worse. It bought us
together and grew us up”. (Bloke with a glass of wine, Page 67). The war temporarily put
white Australian’s prejudices aside to unite together to protect their country.
- “You know you blokes aren’t welcome any other day. What’s different about today?”
(Cellarman, Page 71). This emphasizes how Australia’s prejudices remained the same despite
Aboriginal Australians sacrificing their lives to protect their nation. Aboriginal Australians
were still discriminated against.
- “We don’t see the skin, we see the service. And that you don’t want to bring down the wrath
of the RSL on you.” (RSL secretary, Page 72). The RSL secretary convinces the cellarman and
pubb owner to allow Archie to drink in the front bar on ANZAC day. This emphasizes how
some Aboriginal Australians were treated equally after serving in the war and how the
attitude towards Aboriginal Australians are possible. In doing so, the director praises some of
the white men’s attempts to accept Aboriginal Australians and unite them together as a
country.
- “Come back to what remained of my land and farm it and try to heal this massive wound”.
(Mick, Page 74). The massive wound is the discrimination that Aboriginal Australians felt.
- “And now I get back and you say a stroke of the pen has just swept aboriginal land off the
map”. (Mick, Page 75). This shows white men’s refusal to include Aboriginal people into the
land.
- “For you the war’s over. What’s starting to dawn on me is that, for us, it’s never going to
end”. (Mick, Page 75). Mick realizes that he will forever be fighting for equality. Tom Wright
criticizes the Australian government for their discrimination against Aborigines and spreads
the message that for change to occur, an individual must be willing and persistent towards
achieving equality.
- “I thought things would change after the War”. (Archie, Page 77). Archie comes to the sad
reality that after the war, white people’s views and values on Aborigines remained the same.
This relates to the theme of discrimination and hope for change.
- “Why? Why would things change? The only thing that’s changed round here is you.” (Old
hand, Page 77). This reflects that while the Indigenous soldiers expected life to be different
when they returned home, this view was not shared by the wider population. The old hand
on the cattle station talking to Archie. He doesn’t share Archie’s view that things have
changed and he doesn’t want to challenge the status quo.
- “ I remember a sergeant saying to me “no one cares what bloody colour you are you useless
bastard, get on with it”. And it was true. For three years no one said a bloody word about my
skin. And when I spoke I was heard. And when they called me mate they meant it. And
nothing has felt as good since the day I was demobbed”. (Norm, Page 79). Norm explains
how in the army everyone was treated the same regardless of their background.
- “They painted my colour back on the day I got off that boat.” (Norm, Page 79). This shows
how quickly the discrimination returned once Norm was no longer in the army.
- “I still don’t have the faintest bloody idea what we were fighting for. But I thought I won
something over there. And then I lost it back here.” (Norm, Page 79). This shows his
pessimistic view to equality between Aboriginal people and white people. This reflects the
feelings of many Indigenous soldiers who fought in the war hoping it would change things
once they got home, only to find out it was no different.
- “I am bound for the promised land. Oh, who will come and go with me.” (Song, Page 80).
- “I always thought that fighting for our King and country would make me a naturalized British
subject and a man with freedom but they place me under the act and forced me onto a
settlement like a dog”. (First letter, Page 83). This shows how the attitude towards Aboriginal
Australians did not change after the war.
- All of the letters in Correspondence add to the effect and emphasis on the exclusion of
Aboriginal people within the Australian community in the 1900s.
- “Therefore, why not offer to every faithful ex- service aborigine the hand of friendship and
goodwill, and tender to him equal rights with the white community?”. (Seventh letter, Page
84).
- “This broken, weak, sad world. I like to think of another world. A better one. I like to think of
another world. A better one. I like to stay in the light, don’t want to wander back in the
dark”. (Laurie, Page 87).
- “As a proud aboriginal Australian and former soldier, I hope…” (Nigel, Page 88). This shows
the white people’s refusal to listen to Aborigines and further emphasizes the exclusion of
Aboriginal people into the Australian community in the 1900s.
- The metal casing in Ern’s body represents the traumatic reminisces of the war and the effect
it has had on Ern. This represents the gradual suffering of trauma. The piece of bullet shards
are lost in his body, juxtaposing to the idea that the Aboriginal’s desire and dream for
equality is lost, which is further bolstered by Nigel, Norm, Harry and Bertie’s views after
returning from the war.
- The lock of Frank’s hair: When Bertie and Tommy first cut the hair off frank, it symbolizes
indigenous displacement; the irony of dying in Europe. The lock is a last attempt to make
sure Frank gets a proper burial, a symbol of the traditions that Indigenous people remember
but are unable to practice. When Bertie brings it home, it symbolizes the memory of Frank
and also his inability to go back and recover his childhood and traditional connection to
Australia, which now for him stands only for the horrors of the war.
-
- “Further than that. I can see the big world.” (Nigel, Page 96).
- “I don’t want to join in. I don’t belong.” (Nigel, Page 96). Nigel comes to the sad realization
that he does not belong in Australia because of the exclusion and lack of support he received
by the Australian government after returning from the war.
- “Look at you. Back from the dead, if only you knew it.” (Taxidermist, Page 14).
- “Cooee and let our brothers hear”. (Song ‘Sons of the Southern Cross, Page 17). This is ironic
as the Aboriginal Australians were excluded from society. Irony.
- “A land of darkness itself; and of the shadow of death, without any order, and where the
light is as darkness”. (Laurie, Page 29). This is a reflection of the Aboriginal’s view on
Australia and the world that they live in.
- “Now it’s all fences, we’re fenced, I know.” (Bertie, Page 39). Aboriginals are trapped in a
society with no opportunities, nowhere to go for them. This shows how their society seeks
to exclude them.
- “Australia, never heard of it”. (Bertie’s grandad, Page 39). Australia is meant to be a country
of great unity, freedom and opportunity. The fact that the Australian society seeks to
exclude Aboriginal Australians contradicts this. Bertie’s grandad isn’t sure what Bertie hopes
to gain by enlisting to fight in the war after the discrimination that they have experienced
over many generations.
- “But I’ll stay standing.” (Bertie, Page 40). This shows Bertie’s refusal to give up and fight for
what he believes and longs for, equality between whites and Aborigines.
- “I am in the show. I have got through the fence, I have seen what the grown up world is
like”. (Bertie, Page 57).
- “Little tiny tender shoots, up from the bones. But that’s all lost now”. (Bertie’s grandad, Page
85). The shoots represents the rise in rebellion and equality of Aboriginal Australians. It
juxtaposes between Bertie losing his equality and rights and that all hope is lost for a land of
opportunity, same rights and freedom.
- “Because for a long time I was”. (Old Soldier, Page 93). Lost in Australia, lost opportunity and
rights despite fighting in the war. The old soldier lost his rights.
-