Printed collections

(1919). Charles Edwin Woodrow Bean, standing in military uniform, 1919.

C. E. W. Bean, author of the Official history of Australia in the War of 1914-1918. His papers are held at the Australian War Memorial.

FERGUSON FIRST WORLD WAR PAMPHLETS

Part of the collection of Sir John Alexander Ferguson whose collections form one of the foundations of the Library. This collection of approximately 800 items is rich in material covering all aspects of the war. Topics include conscription, religion, finance and the home front. It also includes some creative works of poetry and art. All are digitised and available via the catalogue.

The Australian and overseas printed collections at the National Library contain substantial material which can support research into the First World War. Use the online catalogue to find and retrieve material using your Library login.

In addition to the general printed collections there are also some unique special collections.

Official histories of the First World War

Countries other than Australia produced their own official accounts of their participation in the First World War. A useful summary can be found on the Great War 1914-1918 website.

The National Library holds the following histories:

Great Britain: History of the Great War based on official documents

This is a substantial work and includes sub series describing military operations, naval operations, air operations and medical history of the war. Also included are numerous maps.

Canada: Canadian Expeditionary Force, 1914-1919

United States: United States Army in the World War, 1917-1919

New Zealand: Official history of New Zealand in the Great War (4 vols and 2 supplementary vols)

Although not held by the National Library the official histories of two of the other main participants are available online, either entire or in part:

France: Les Armées Françaises dans la Grande Guerre

Germany: Der Weltkrieg 1914 bis 1918: Bearbeitet im Reichsarchiv

Germany's Western Front: translations from the German official history of the Great War is the first English translation of the German official history of the First World War and is held at the National Library.

In our Reference collection

You can find the following useful resources in our Main Reading Room. There is no need to place a request for this material.

Official history of Australia in the War of 1914-1918

The first published official record of Australia's involvement in the war by the official Australian War Historian, Charles Bean.

Call number: RF 940.40994 O32. Also available online.

The Oxford companion to Australian military history

A comprehensive guide with entries on key soldiers, politicians and writers, as well as information on major campaigns, weapons and themes.

Call number: RF 355.00994 O98-2

The encyclopaedia of Australia's battles

Lists chronologically all major battles fought by Australians overseas, including details of dates, locations, units and commanders involved.

Call number: RF 355.4794 C592

World War I databook: the essential facts and figures for all the combatants

A useful compilation of data covering all aspects of the war.

Call number: RFq 940.402 E47

Case Study

Question: "I am looking for Australian literature of the Great War"

Answer: We have a variety of material available through the Library that will assist your research.

You might like to use the Austlit Australian literature database which is available via the Library's eResources portal.

Austlit also has an ongoing research project ('World War I in Australian Literary culture') which expands coverage of the way the 1914-1918 war has appeared in literature, film, and other forms of storytelling from the conflict's beginning to the present.

The Library also holds a great deal of Australian children’s literature from the First World War:

The Source, available via our eResources portal, is an online database of children’s literature from Australia and New Zealand, compiled by Dr Kerry White. Within this database, you can select 'World War 1914-1918' from the subject list.

The Marcie Muir collection of Australian children's books contains many unique or rare items depicting the First World War in children's literature eg The young ANZACs.

A search of the Library catalogue under author’s name or subject heading also shows material we hold. Suggested headings include:

For further information see the Australian Literature Research Guide.

History Military history

Australian War Memorial. (1927). Australian War Memorial Museum : the relics and records of Australia's effort in the defence of the Empire, 1914-1918. Sydney : Govt. Printer,

HERTZ COLLECTION

This collection consists of books and pamphlets relating to war and aviation, in particular to the First World War. Books in the collection have been catalogued individually and have the prefix HER . Non book material such as manuscripts, maps and pictures can be found in the relevant collection.