Khaki Crims and Desperadoes

by Russell Robinson

When Australia entered World War I, volunteers swarmed to enlistment centres in their thousands.

But among the recruits were criminals with extensive police records. Some had assumed false names to start lives afresh; others made no secret of their criminal histories.

They were hardened criminals, fresh out of jail or on the run from the law, or fleeing family responsibilities or debts.

Once in uniform, some became persistent deserters, fleeing the training depots before embarkation. Those who did make it overseas spent much of the time going AWL to avoid being sent to the front.

There were some who showed great courage and endeavour while under fire, and were awarded medals and citations. In most cases, however, the encouragement failed to distract them from their misbehaviour.

Others used their military training to expand their unlawful enterprises overseas, joining gangs of like-minded desperate diggers. And then there were those who saw the war as a chance to hone their skills for use in the criminal underworld on their return.

They were Australia's khaki crims and desperadoes.

Genres: Nonfiction

323 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2014

Reviews

[Beck · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book would be GREAT for someone undertaking research of their own with knowledge in this area. In fact, the author's bibliography and index held most of the wow factor for me!

Sadly, this book just doesn't read well from beginning to end. Especially if you're anything like me and don't really know much about World War 1 and the Aussie's (good or bad) involved.

There are just too many people talked about. Too many stories that sound exactly the same and I felt as though most of the information shared wasn't rich enough for me to learn anything from.

If you were to ask "What did this book teach you?"

I'd be honest and reply "I learned about STI's and the probability of catching one back then, was quite high!"