Historical information

Booklet issued in September 1914 containing a complete roll of the first Victorian Contingent to "the Motherland", documenting Australia's offer to send troops to Great Britain after the declaration of war, and the response by Victoria. Around 6,700 men volunteered within three weeks to take part in an "expeditionary force", and gathered at a camp at Broadmeadows in preparation for sailing on one of 26 troopships being sent by Australia. The booklet was produced as a souvenir to the "gallant men who responded so readily to the call to arms. Theirs is the spirit that has built up the greatness of England's empire." The wish that they have a "speedy and safe return to sunny Australia" underlines the naivety or innocence of the times.
ON the declaration of war the Commonwealth Government immediately cabled the Imperial Authorities, offering to send an Expeditionary Force of 20,000 men to assist the Empire in this the greatest struggle in history. The offer was gratefully accepted by the mother country and immediately the enrolment of volunteers was begun, officers and men enthusiastically rallied to the call, and in the course of two or three weeks the whole of the contingents were in camp. The offer was made on the 3rd August, 1914, and before the end of September the troops were ready for the front. The command of the Expeditionary Force has been entrusted to Brigadier-General Bridges, who is ably assisted by the best officers in Australia. To transport the troops to England twenty-six of the largest and best liners that come to Australian waters have been engaged as troopships. The whole of the cost (estimated at more than £5,000,000) of equipping and maintaining the troops during the war will be borne by Australia, and even if the cost should be treble the amount it will be cheerfully and readily responded to in aid of the Empire. A Second Expeditionary Force is now in course of enrolment.
Our Victorian First Contingent comprises some 6,700 officers and men, and this booklet is issued as a souvenir of Victoria's complement and to serve as a record and memento of the gallant men who responded so readily to the call to arms. Theirs is the spirit that has built up the greatness of England's Empire—the spirit that will support it while empires last. May Providence guide them to speedy victory and a safe return to sunny Australia. September, 1914.

The booklet also mentions that a secondary expeditionary force is being assembled, so may have also functioned as an inducement to enlist.

Physical description

"For Empire. Australia's Rally to the Dear Old Flag." Roll of Honor. Victoria's First Expeditionary Force to the Motherland. Soft cover. Front cover contains image of Union Jack. Title in white, and subtitles in red . Stapled in spine. Publisher's name and address on back cover to bottom right. Contains black and white images. Index of soldiers names listed by Divisional Headquarters and Battalions. 16 pages.