WWI Indigenous Soldiers

Wilfred Ernest Budsworth

For some years our researchers have from time to time tried to determine whether there were any Inverell District Indigenous men who served during World War 1. To date none have been found.

However, recently we were given the name of Wilfred Ernest Budsworth to investigate. Wilfred signed his Attestation Papers at Inverell on 5 June 1918 and had his medical examination at Tingha the following day. He claimed he was born at Tamworth NSW and that he was 18 years and 7 months old. Perhaps he was encouraged by the fact the other non Inverell District relatives had also enlisted.

Subsequently, the authorities discovered that Wilfred had put his age up by one year. Because he was underage his application was cancelled on 20 July 1918.

Research of his family background indicates he was a great grandson of Joseph Budsworth who married an aboriginal woman named Kitty of the Warmuli Clan, Darug Nation from the area of Prospect NSW.

If anyone has any evidence of other Inverell District Indigenous volunteers please contact us so we can include this information with our records.