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Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03

1916 in Australia

Explore 15 historical events and records for Australia in 1916.

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Historical records for Australia in 1916

Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 15 of 15 unique records.

15Unique records
1 of 1Page
15Named events on this page
8Named people on this page
8Places on this page

March

ANZAC Mounted Division Formed

Chauvel, Henry George · Egypt · Commander ANZAC Mounted Division · Warfare / World War, 1st

Chauvel takes command of the newly formed ANZAC Mounted Division in Egypt.

First Light Horse Brigade Joins Mounted Division

Cox, Charles Frederick · Egypt · Commander First Light Horse Brigade · Warfare / World War, 1st

Cox's 1st Light Horse Brigade joins the ANZAC Mounted Division in Egypt.

Second Light Horse Brigade Joins Mounted Division

Ryrie, Granville de Laune · Egypt · Commander Second Light Horse Brigade · Warfare / World War, 1st

Ryrie's 2nd Light Horse Brigade joins the ANZAC Mounted Division during its formation.

July

Fifth Australian Division Attacks at Fromelles

McCay, James Whiteside · Fromelles · Commander Fifth Australian Division · Warfare / World War, 1st

McCay's 5th Australian Division attacks at Fromelles and suffers severe losses.

Second Division Takes Over Pozieres Sector

Legge, James Gordon · Pozieres · Commander Second Australian Division · Warfare / World War, 1st

Legge's 2nd Australian Division relieves exhausted troops in the Pozieres sector.

August

First Light Horse Holds Romani Line

Cox, Charles Frederick · Romani · Commander First Light Horse Brigade · Warfare / World War, 1st

Cox's brigade helps hold the defensive line during the Ottoman attack at Romani.

Romani Defence Directed

Chauvel, Henry George · Romani · Commander ANZAC Mounted Division · Warfare / World War, 1st

Chauvel directs the ANZAC Mounted Division during the successful defence of Romani.

Second Light Horse Pursues from Romani

Ryrie, Granville de Laune · Sinai · Commander Second Light Horse Brigade · Warfare / World War, 1st

Ryrie's brigade joins the pursuit after the Ottoman withdrawal from Romani.

Fourth Division Enters Pozieres Battle

Holmes, William · Pozieres · Commander Fourth Australian Division · Warfare / World War, 1st

Holmes's 4th Australian Division enters the Pozieres sector after earlier Australian formations are exhausted.

Mouquet Farm Attacks Directed

Holmes, William · Mouquet Farm · Commander Fourth Australian Division · Warfare / World War, 1st

Holmes directs repeated 4th Division attacks toward Mouquet Farm during the Somme fighting.

December

First Light Horse Advances at Magdhaba

Cox, Charles Frederick · Magdhaba · Commander First Light Horse Brigade · Warfare / World War, 1st

Cox's brigade advances across open ground during the Magdhaba operation.

Magdhaba Attack Directed

Chauvel, Henry George · Magdhaba · Commander ANZAC Mounted Division · Warfare / World War, 1st

Chauvel directs the mounted assault that captures the Ottoman position at Magdhaba.

Other events (month unknown)

Coalition Government

Hughes, William Morris · Canberra · Prime Minister of Australia · Government / Government of Australia

Leaves the Labour Party & leads a coalition Government

High Commissioner

Fisher, Andrew · Canberra · High Commissioner · Government / Government of Australia

Appointed High Commissioner

Prime Minister of Australia

Hughes, William Morris · Prime Minister of Australia · Government / Government of Australia

Appointed Prime Minister of Australia, 2nd term

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How these records were prepared

Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.