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Western Mail, Thursday, 9 January 1930, p. 2
The Origin of "Digger."
Noo South is in the throes of another war. Judging by the number of frontline volunteers it is not so bad as the last, but the barrage of ink in the soldiers' paper over the origin of "digger" is tremendous. All ranks, from generals to privates, are claiming the honour for all units and three countries, Australia, New Zealand and - hold your breath - America! We know the latter won the war: we don't dispute that - now. But to claim it gave us "digger" is thick enough to make even a peaceful Aussie enter the inky fray. And so I gave the "Reveille" the dinkum oil. I told that paper that the word as applied to the A.I.F. originated about September or October, 1916, when Brigadier-General Cannan, in an address to the 11th Brigade, eulogized the digging prowess of the 44th Battalion, after a three days' occupation by the brigade of the Bustard trench system on Salisbury Plain. The other three battalions derisively labelled the 44th "the diggers," as they marched off the parade. Never mentioned before, it became the common mode of address from that time and when the Third Division went to France a month later it spread rapidly throughout the A.I.F.
Anyone who doubts this claim let him cast his mind back to the period when he first noticed the name being generally applied, he will find that it was towards the end of 1916, which will bear out my contention. However, if I'm wrong, I'm open to be convinced, but, surely, between us, we can blow the Yank out 'of this argument. If the origin of "digger" is not a domestic matter you can call me Sammy.