Topic: AIF - Aboriginal LH
Pte Tom Cooper, 10th Light Horse Regiment, 15th Reinforcements
[Click on document for larger version]
[From: NAA 3414626, p.9.]
After filling out his application to enlist with the AIF at Kalgoorli, Tom Cooper was ascertained as accepted by the Recruiting Officer on 13 December 1915. From Kalgoorli, Tom Cooper went to Blackboy Hill Training Camp for his basic training where he entered on 15 December 1915. Blackboy Hill was the major Western Australian Training Depot for the AIF. Almost every soldier from Western Australia passed through this camp.
From basic training, Tom Cooper was accepted as a Private with the 10th Light Horse Regiment. His cohort was the 15th Reinforcements.
Sometime in February 1916, it was decided that the colour of Tom Cooper's skin was a factor in determining his efficiency as a soldier. Tom Cooper was discharged from the AIF as "Not of substantially European descent" which was apparently in compliance of General Order No 679.
[Click on document for larger version]
[From: NAA 3414626, p.8.]
After receiving his discharge Tom Cooper never sought to serve his country again.
It is unusual that after qualifying as a soldier with the Recruiting Officer, he would have been subsequently discharged on the grounds of race. There is a deeper underlying story in this situation which is covered up by the application of General Order No. 679. The fact that it was chosen to be enforced two months after Tom Cooper was accepted into the AIF leads to the suggestion that a particular person took a dislike to Tom Cooper and utilised a vague order to legitimise personal animus. Until that time, Tom Cooper appears to have been accepted by all his comrades. In addition, his horsemanship was considered to be excellent as he was accepted as a reinforcement to the Light Horse, a difficult task.
The enforcement of this rule appears capricious. Not more than four months later, 4484 Pte Billy Elsdale, 47th Infantry Battalion, a full blood Aboriginal with in AIF was killed in action in the Fleurbaix sector on the bloody Somme, 7 July 1916. Elsdale was not the only Aboriginal in the AIF as the numbers of Aboriginal recruits were quite substantial considering their treatment by the broader community.
The humiliation of Tom Cooper was enough to remove from him the desire to do his bit for the country, especially by 1917 when it was difficult to get recruits which led to an almost fully Aboriginal reinforcement Troop being sent to the 11th Light Horse Regiment from Queensland.
Additional Reading:
Listing of Aboriginal Servicemen Biographies on this site
Citation: Pte Tom Cooper
