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The Dictionary of Sydney
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War or military engagement

War or military engagement

Type - War or military engagement

Japanese submarine attack 1942

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War or military engagement

Boer War

Second war between the British rulers of Cape Colony in South Africa and Dutch-Afrikaner setters, known as Boers. The first, in 1880-1881, saw the British experience significant losses and when a second conflict broke out in 1889, the Australian colonies offered to send troops to assist. The first Australians arrived in December 1899. About 16,000 Australians fought in the Boer War, mostly in mounted contingents, of whom 282 died in action or from wounds and 324 from disease or accidents. Six Australians were awarded the Victoria Cross.

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Japanese submarine attack 1942

On the night of 31 May 1942, three midget submarines, each with a two-member crew, entered Sydney Harbour, avoided the partially constructed Sydney Harbour anti-submarine boom net, and attempted unsuccessfully to sink Allied warships anchored near Garden Island.

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Sudan War 1885

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In March 1885, the New South Wales Contingent departed from Sydney to participate in a British colonial conflict in Sudan, the first time that Australian soldiers had been sent to fight overseas. The contingent comprised 758 soldiers. Hostilities had ended before the Australians arrived and the Contingent returned in May 1885. Nine men were lost through illness.

Vietnam War

Australian involvement in the Vietnam War began in 1962 and officially ended in 1973, although the war continued until 1975. More than 60,000 Australians served in the conflict of whom 521 died and more than 3,000 were wounded. The war caused considerable social and political dissent in Australia.

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World War I

International war between the Allies (Britain and its dominions, France, Russia, Italy and the USA) and Central Powers (Germany and Austria–Hungary,Turkey and Bulgaria) that was fought mainly in Europe and the Middle East. It began on 28 July 1914 and ended on 11 November 1918. Australia's involvement in the war began on 4 August 1914 when Britain and Germany went to war and Australia, as one of Britain's dominions, pledged full support. Australians fought in the British and Australian armies.

While no battles took place on Australian soil, Australian involvement in the conflict had both immediate and long term impacts on the local community.

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