On November 1, 1914, a fleet of 38 troop ships carrying approximately 30,000 Australian and New Zealand soldiers, along with 12,000 horses, departed from King George Sound in Albany, Western Australia. The convoy, bound first for Egypt and later the Dardanelles, marked a significant moment in World War I history as part of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) deployment.

The ships set sail under the watchful eyes of Albany’s residents, including women, elderly men, and children, who gathered atop Mount Clarence to bid farewell. Unaware of the grim realities awaiting them, many soldiers viewed the expedition as a rare opportunity to explore the Old World while earning pay. Tragically, a significant number—one in three—would not survive beyond the Gallipoli Peninsula.

Today, visitors to Albany can explore the region’s rich connection to this chapter of history at sites such as the Convoy Lookout, which overlooks the strikingly blue waters of King George Sound. Nearby, the National Anzac Centre offers an immersive museum experience detailing the stories of servicemen and servicewomen who passed through Albany during the war. Admission is priced at £13 and tickets include an interactive element whereby visitors select a card bearing the name of an individual among the 32 featured personnel.

For example, one visitor recently drew the card of Lance Corporal George Mitchell, a 20-year-old clerk and son of a railway porter who served with the 48th Battalion. This method personalizes the historical narrative, encouraging guests to investigate the fate of the individuals who embarked on the perilous journey from Albany a century ago.

This section of Western Australia provides not only scenic coastal views along the route from Perth to Albany but also an opportunity to reflect on the human stories behind an extraordinary military undertaking during the First World War.