Education Centre, Aboriginal Light Horsemen, Matrix of common service data

The Australian Light Horse Studies Centre in conjunction with the various Education authorities in Australia, has embarked upon producing a program of instruction targeted initially towards the Later Adolescence band of scholars, characteristically those who are studying in Year 9 and 10 within Australia. Each lesson will be a self contained module. Some will be more difficult than others and graded accordingly.

Lesson 11 Aboriginal Light Horsemen

Resource - Matrix of common service data to assist in generating discussion.

When undertaking the exploration of each service record, each displayed  page carried a data set for the student to extract. This matrix aims to collect all the specific information to allow the teacher the ability to lead discussions about this group of Aboriginals and ascertain if any conclusions may be reached as a consequence of this data. 

Attestation Paper, p. 1. Extracted Data

Data analysis:

Names:   Jack - 4, (NR%); Edward - 2, (2.04%); Frank - 2, (1.51%); Fred - 2, (2.53%); Harry - 2, (1.16%); James - 2, (4.66%); Joe - 2, (1.63%); John - 2, (7.71%); William - 2, (9.08%); Charlie - 1, (3.59%); David - 1, (1.05%); Leonard - 1, (NR%); Leslie - 1, (1.31%); Martin - 1, (NR%); and, Rupert - 1, (NR%). The number in the bracket indicates the percentage of the name that occurred in the whole AIF. Any name under 1% was NR - Not Recorded. Example: For the name Edward, there are 2 in this list. Nationally, in the AIF, 2.04% of all men enlisted for service were called Edward.

Ages:  Average Age = 25. Youngest = 18. Oldest = 38. Under 20 = 2. 20-30 = 17. Over 30 = 7. Common Ages = 21 - 5; 22 - 5; 30 - 3; 23 - 2; 25 - 2; 18 - 1; 19 - 1; 20 - 1; 26 - 1; 27 - 1; 31 - 1; 36 - 1; 37 - 1; and, 38 – 1. 

Occupation:  Labourer - 10; Station Hand - 6; Stockman - 5; Contractor - 1; Farm Hand - 1; Horse Breaker - 1; Policeman - 1; and, Orchardist - 1.

Marital Status: Married - 9 (34.62%); and, Single - 17 (65.38%). In comparison, the total AIF percentages were: Married - 17.42%; and, Single - 80.61%. 

Nexr of Kin: Wife - 9; Friend - 5; Father - 4; Mother - 4; Brother - 3; and, Sister - 1. 

Attestation Paper, p. 2. Extracted Data 

Data analysis:

Height: [Conversion: 1 foot = 0.305 metres; and, 1 inch = 0.0245 metres.] Average Height = 5'7¼" or 1.72m. Shortest man = 5'3' or 1.60m. Tallest man = 6'0¼"or 1.84m.

Weight:  [Conversion: 1 stone = 14 pounds or 6.35 kilograms; and, 1 pound = 0.454 kilograms.] Average weight = 145.19lbs or 65.92kg. Lightest man = 121lbs or 54.93kg. Heaviest man = 204lbs or 92.62kgs.

Chest Expansion:  Average chest expansion = 2" or 4.9cm.

Complexion: Dark - 24; Half-Caste - 2.

Eyes: Brown - 26.

Hair: Black - 18; Dark - 6; and, Brown - 2.

Religious Denomination: Church of England - 19;  Roman Catholic - 6; and, Presbyterian - 1.

B103, p. 1.

Data analysis:

Taken on Strength: 11th LHR - 24; 2nd LHR - 1; Never - 1.

B103, p. 2.

Data analysis:

Returned to Australia: 20 July 1919 - 18; 17 July 1919 - 2; 5 February 1919 - 1; 13 March 1919 - 1; 7 April 1919 - 1; 12 July 1918 - 1; 22 July 1918 - 1; and, 2 August 1919 - 1.

Transferred to Australian Imperial Force D

Data analysis:

Last Rank: Private - 24; Acting Corporal 1; and Temporary Driver - 1.

Discharge Date: 22 September 1919 - 17; 23 September 1919 - 2; 29 September 1919 - 2; 8 April 1919 - 1; 22 May 1919 - 1; 24 August 1919 - 1; 4 September 1918 - 1; and, Unknown - 1.

Medals: British War Medal (BWM) - 26;  Victory Medal (VM) - 25. 2447 Pte Joe White did not qualify for a Victory Medal since he was never taken on strength with a unit involved in active service.

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