It was their chance to really prove themselves as new nations, Aus and NZ had only in recent yrs before WW1 gained Dominion status.
In the case of Aus. it had become a Federation in 1901, ..during Second Boer war Australia had initially contributed a variety
of militia groups from its independent colonies, then during the war they formed into and fought as a Commonwealth Force.
Essentially the Boer War was Australias first military involvement as a nation, yet it aint talk about nearly as much.
A big thing about WW1 was that Aus troops now came under Australian command.
and they achieved some mighty important results for the war effort. ..
for the King and Crown...
Indeed , but when British royals visited Australian repatriation hospitals, they didn't get a very nice welcome from veterans.
