Douglas Grant: Aboriginal Australian Soldier

Douglas Grant, was an Aboriginal Australian soldier who fought during World War 1. Grant had experience as a draughtsman, public servant and factory worker. During World War 1, he was captured by the German army and was held prisoner at Wittendorf, and later transferred to Wunsdorf, Zossen, near Berlin.

Douglas Grant was born in 1885, in the Bellenden Ker Ranges, Queensland. Douglas Grant was an orphan, separated from his parents in 1887 at two years old, his parents were killed in a tribal fight. As an infant, he was adopted by taxidermists Robert Grant and E.J. Cairn, who were in the Yarrabah region on an expedition collecting information for the Australian Museum. Originally named Poppin JerriHe was renamed Douglas and was transported with

During his time spent confined in prison (April 1917 to December 1918), Grant became president of the British Help Committee, now known as The Red Cross, and specialised in the organisation of food parcels and medical supplies for the Indian and African prisoners who had been captured by the Germans and were held at the Halbmondlager war-prisoner camp, near Zossen. Grant wrote on behalf of all the prisoners, including himself, to agencies such as the British Help Committee (prior to his election as president), the Invalid Comfort Fund for Prisoners of War, the British Red Cross and the Merchant Seaman 's Help Society.

On 22 December 1918, Grant was sent from Germany to England. Douglas Grant took the time to visit his foster father 's family in Scotland. Grant was able to put on a somewhat burred Scottish accent and combined with his facial characteristics and skin tone, achieved much attention throughout his stay. In 1919 he sailed back to Australia on the troopship Medic, and arrived in Sydney on 12 June. He was removed from Service on 9 July, and returned to the standard, citizen life, and his former position as a draughtsman at Mort 's

Aboriginal Australian Servicemen:

Over 1000 Indigenous Australians participated in the First World War as soldiers. The Aborigines came from a lower-class section of society, with fewer rights, low rights and poorer living conditions. Most Indigenous Australians were not able to vote and treated with prejudice though, once they joined the First Australian Imperial Force, they were treated with equality.

When war first broke out in 1914, many Indigenous Australians had attempted to enlist, but were rejected because of their race, though some made it through. In October 1917, when recruits were more scarce, the restrictions were eased. Half-castes were allowed enlistment providing that the Medical Officers were satisfied that one parent was of European origin.

Loyalty and patriotism were the main reasons as to why Aboriginal Australians decided to participate in the war. The Indigenous saw it as a viable chance to prove themselves equal to those of the European race, and later, push for better treatment after the war. And for many Australians in 1914, the offer of six shillings a day for a trip overseas was not worth