This Remembrance Day One Indigenous Soldier Is Getting The Recognition He Deserves

Private William Allan Irwin will be the first Indigenous soldier honoured in this way.

Private William Allan Irwin will be the first Indigenous soldier acknowledged for his bravery during WWl as part of the poppy appeal.

Australian War Memorial.

Pte Irwin was born and raised in a time when Aboriginal people weren't considered citizens and were prohibited from joining the army. This didn't stop Irwin and thousands of other Indigenous men from signing up to fight.

Pte Irwin traveled to France and began fighting on the western front against the Germans, his legendary bravery is now being honoured in the lead up to Remembrance Day next month. His photo and story will be featured on the cards carrying the poppy flower pin, which are traditionally worn on the day.

It's the first time an Indigenous soldier has been officially recognised in this way.

The pins are sold as part of the fundraising effort for the RSL with money assisting returned servicemen and women.

Pte Irwin, from the small regional NSW town of Coonabarabran, enlisted and joined the 33rd Battalion at 37-years-old.

Arriving on the western front in November 1916, he fast became known as a ferocious fighter and was injured several times on the frontline.

At the famous battle of Mont St Quentin in August 1918, his battalion was engaged in heavy combat trying to regain the German stronghold of Road Wood. Under intense machine-gun fire Irwin left his fellow troops and ventured out alone, single-handedly capturing three enemy machine-gun posts and their crews.

While capturing the fourth post, he sustained injuries to his back and thigh, ultimately dying from the wounds the next day, just two months before the war ended.

The London Gazette reported at the time, "single-handed, and in the face of heavy fire, he [Pte Irwin] rushed three separate machine-gun nests, capturing the guns and crews. While rushing a fourth, he was severely wounded."

Pte Irwin received a Distinguished Conduct Medal for 'conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty' posthumously. A remarkable achievement at a time when the Australian government refused to recognise or acknowledge the war efforts of Indigenous fighters.

Australian War Memorial.

Pte Irwin is currently buried in Daours, France, he died two months before the end of the war.

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