Mrs Digger

Stories of marriage and emigration during the First World War

NCOs and wives go ashore on the SS Borda

Australian War Memorial D00936

Lieutenant Werner McPherson, Patricia McPherson, Lieutenant James Diamond, and Captain Harry Gurd.

“Any day you may hear of a Digger bringing home a bride from Professor David’s North Pole.”

- The Bulletin (Melbourne), 17 April 1919.

“English and Scottish brides predominate, but there are a few French, Greek, and Italian, and one Egyptian.”

— The Sun (Sydney), 18 September 1919.

Wives and children of Australian servicemen aboard the steamship Zealandia in 1918.

Wives and children aboard H.T. Zealandia

Australian War Memorial P01908.032

Wives and children of Australian servicemen aboard the steamship Borda in 1919.

Wives and children aboard H.T. Borda

Australian War Memorial D00935