Seymour accordingly found himself joining some 300 British and Australian volunteers charged with training the Chinese in guerrilla warfare and carrying out sabotage missions behind Japanese lines.

Formed in mid-1940 from Western Australian volunteers, the battalion served in North Africa in 1941-42 as part of the 24th Brigade, which was assigned to the 9th Division.

A group of Australian volunteers, alumni of Operation Raleigh, provided a huge boost to the success of this first program, sending 4 participants and several Group Leaders.

The 1st and 2nd Scottish Horse were formed from Australian volunteers plus drafts from Scotland and South Africa.

In just over a year and a half, 280 Australian volunteers helped build 93 schools.

A small number of Australian volunteers fought on both sides of the Spanish Civil War, although they predominantly supported the Spanish Republic through the International Brigades.

Although the number of Australian volunteers was relatively small compared to those from other countries, at least 14 were killed.

Don Ritchie, 85, Australian volunteer, rescued 160 people from suicide.

With Dr Whitehall and the late Bill Bancroft, also in 1975 Darby organised Australian medical volunteers to help in East Timor during the civil war.

Australian volunteers, all citizen soldiers who regarded the army's demands as limited, especially out of action, tended to salute only those superiors they respected personally.