Mount Isa RSL sub-branch committee member Steve Wollaston said nine of these men died as a result of the war and that one soldier was awarded a military medal. 

Mr Wollaston said some of these men may have been of Indigenous descent. 

The Mount Isa RSL sub-branch will this year investigate the Barkly Tablelands enlistments to see how many were Indigenous. 

‘‘Some may find it strange that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders wanted to serve a country that did not recognise them as citizens until 1967,’’ Mr Wollaston said. 

‘‘Reasons for enlistment were many, some hoped that war service might help the Indigenous campaign for citizenship and equally some believed the war was just.

‘‘Others sought adventure, good pay or joined up because their mates did.’’