1. Discrimination
2. First Nations people
3. History
4. Human rights
5. Racism
6. Soldiers
7. WW1

‘Alfred’s War’ tells the little-known story of the long-standing contribution made by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People who have fought in all of the wars that Australia has taken part in from the Boer War in 1899 to the present day.
This story is told through the eyes of a World War 1 Aboriginal veteran, Alfred George. As a young man, Alfred signs up with the Army, anticipating a future ahead of adventure and travel. Surviving the horrors of the war, he returns to an Australian society that does not afford them the same rights as their white Australian compatriots, with many living an itinerant and destitute life.

Poignant scenes in this picture book are delicately rendered in pencil and watercolour. They reveal Alfred’s journey back home, carrying a war injury, standing in the background at a town’s ANZAC service, and plagued by the memories of his fallen comrades. The images, beginning with the endpapers of a war-torn landscape, then scenes of war and back home again capture the emotions and experiences of the people involved. A poignant photograph of Alfred standing firm with his soldier mates makes a silent point about inclusion that provokes discussion.

This fictional account concludes with a brief history of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans. Rachel Bin Salleh is descended from the Nimunburr and Yawuru peoples of the Kimberley region of Western Australia, while Samantha Fry grew up in the Northern Territory and is descended from the Dagiman people from Katherine.

1. Alfred's War Magabala Books Teacher Notes prepared by Christina Wheeler https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0092/5043/9268/files/Alfred_s_War_Teacher_Notes.pdf?2386
2. Alfred's War Copyright Agency Reading Australia Lesson Plan https://readingaustralia.com.au/lesson/alfreds-war/
3. Darwin illustrator Samantha Fry launches Alfred’s War, 17 Apr 2008 https://www.ntnews.com.au/news/sun-newspapers/darwin-illustrator-samantha-fry-launches-alfreds-war/news-story/43ffe6049396e115ad8fd03766af0e94
4. Australian War Memorial - Aboriginal service during the First World War https://www.awm.gov.au/about/our-work/projects/indigenous-service
5. Solidarity.net.au - Aboriginal soldiers: rewarded with racism and discrimination, 21 Jan 2014 https://www.solidarity.net.au/aboriginal/aboriginal-soldiers-rewarded-with-racism-and-discrimination/