<P> The declaration of war by King George V in August 1914 automatically involved all of Britain's colonies and dominions . Prime Minister Andrew Fisher probably expressed the views of most Australians when during the election campaign of late July he said "Turn your eyes to the European situation, and give the kindest feelings towards the mother country...I sincerely hope that international arbitration will avail before Europe is convulsed in the greatest war of all time...But should the worst happen...Australians will stand beside our own to help and defend her to the last man and the last shilling ." </P> <P> More than 416,000 Australian men volunteered to fight during the First World War between 1914 and 1918 from a total national population of 4.9 million . Historian Lloyd Robson estimates this as between one third and one half of the eligible male population . The Sydney Morning Herald referred to the outbreak of war as Australia's "Baptism of Fire ." 8,141 men were killed in 8 months of fighting at Gallipoli, on the Turkish coast . After the Australian Imperial Forces (AIF) was withdrawn in late 1915, and enlarged to five divisions, most were moved to France to serve under British command . </P> <P> Some forces remained in the Mid-East, including members of the Light Horse Regiment . Light horsemen of the 4th and 12th Regiments captured heavily fortified Beersheba from Turk forces by means of a cavalry charge at full gallop on 31 October 1917 . One of the last great cavalry charges in history, the attack opened a way for the allies to outflank the Gaza - Beersheba Line and drive the Ottomans back into Palestine . </P> <P> The AIF's first experience of warfare on the Western Front was also the most costly single encounter in Australian military history . In July 1916, at Fromelles, in a diversionary attack during the Battle of the Somme, the AIF suffered 5,533 killed or wounded in 24 hours . Sixteen months later, the five Australian divisions became the Australian Corps, first under the command of General Birdwood, and later the Australian General Sir John Monash . Two bitterly fought and divisive conscription referendums were held in Australia in 1916 and 1917 . Both failed, and Australia's army remained a volunteer force . </P>

When did australia join and leave the british empire