1940: Anzacs in England.: The historical moment when the 'sons of Anzac' first inhabit the Anzac Legend

This investigation examines the much broader cultural and socio-historical concept of the Anzac Legend and the military traditions of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) encapsulated in the 'digger myth'. The investigation will do this by assessing the extent to which the men of the 6th Division 2nd AIF, specifically the 18th and 25th Brigades, inhabit and negotiate both of these ideals in England in 1940. Societal changes during the inter-war period are assessed as they relate to Australian identity and specifically the notion of 'Britishness'. The men's own self-actualization and the British perception of Anzac is examined using archival material and literature.