ABOUT AN&MEF
Of the 1086 Officers and men, some 41 Officers and 784 other ranks enlisted, mainly in the AIF, after their 6 months service in the AN&MEF concluded. Of the 784 other ranks who subsequently enlisted in the AIF, 147 became commissioned Officers in the AIF.
Of the 1086 Officers and men, some 41 Officers and 784 other ranks enlisted, mainly in the AIF, after their 6 months service in the AN&MEF concluded. Of the 784 other ranks who subsequently enlisted in the AIF, 147 became commissioned Officers in the AIF. Of the men who enlisted in the AIF, 153 were killed, mainly on Gallipoli, France and Belgium, 7 became prisoners of war, 46 received the Military Cross, 31 received the Military Medal, 8 received the Meritorious Service Medal, 15 were awarded the Distinguished Service Order and 18 received the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Collectively there were 53 Mentioned in Dispatches.
As well as these Commonwealth Bravery Awards, 12 members were recognised by the French and Belgium Governments with the Croix de Guerre or Medaille Militaire.
The AN&MEF holds a very significant place in our Military history in that it:
​
-
Was the first Military Force raised in World War one.
-
It was the first Military Force sent overseas completely under the command of Australian Officers.
-
It was the first co-ordinated operation buy the Australian Army and Navy
-
It suffered the first naval and military casualties of the war.
-
It saw the first Naval vessel lost in the war – the submarine AE1
-
It was the first Australian military occupation of a foreign territory
-
It commenced the Australian relationship with New Guinea which lasted until 1975 when Papua New Guinea gained its independence
Yet, few people are even aware of its existence. In fact, there is no national memorial to the AN&MEF.