Aussie: The Cheerful Monthly

Aussie was originally an Australian Army periodical published in France, as Aussie: The Australian Soldiers’ Magazine. When its editor, Phillip L. Harris, returned home, he recreated it as a civilian publication, entitled Aussie: The Cheerful Monthly.

The Army version of Aussie ran from January 1918 (issue 1) to April 1919 (issue 13); the civilian version began with the magazine published on 15 April 1920 (issue 14).

Here are various selected anecdotes, articles, poems, and stories from Aussie: The Cheerful Monthly:

Issue 14

This gives you a tearful introduction to “Aussie” [15 April 1920]
An editorial, which gives an introduction to the new magazine.

Between cobbers [15 April 1920]
An editorial, which explains that the guiding idea of Aussie is Australianism.

Birdy and White [15 April 1920]
An article about the visit of General Birdwood to Australia (during the First World War, Birdwood was in command of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) and then in charge of the Australian Corps).

The Death Troop [poem by Gerardy, 15 April 1920]
A poem about a battle involving Australian mounted infantry.

Dipping the badge [15 April 1920]
An article which says that WW1 veterans should be wearing their service badges, despite the reported misbehaviour of a few men whose conduct was alleged to have disgraced their badges.

The Lesson [sketch by Cecil L. Hartt, 15 April 1920]
A sketch promoting the idea of Australianism.

The rough spin the prophet gets in his own country [15 April 1920]
An article about the poor recognition of, and misrepresentation of, Australian soldiers by the mainstream media in England and Australia.

The swindling of de Mole [15 April 1920]
An article complaining about the treatment of Corporal L. E. de Mole, an Australian who submitted an early design for a tank to the British authorities.

Updated 27 March 2022