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Footprints tells the story of Lucy and Percy Pepper and their children, an Aboriginal family from Gippsland in early twentieth century Victoria, as told by their descendants, family photographs and through official documents of the Victorian government.

This video examines the theme of Indigenous Victorian participation in WWI through the experiences of Percy and Lucy Pepper.

It explores:

  • the reasons and circumstances of Percy’s enlistment
  • his experiences as an Indigenous soldier in WWI
  • his treatment and the challenges he and his family faced when he returned from war
  • Percy and Lucy’s experience on their soldier settlement block post WWI.

Click here for teacher resources for 'Percy's war'.

 

Material in the Public Record Office Victoria archival collection contains words and descriptions that reflect attitudes and government policies at different times which may be insensitive and upsetting

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples should be aware the collection and website may contain images, voices and names of deceased persons.

PROV provides advice to researchers wishing to access, publish or re-use records about Aboriginal Peoples