Desertion
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Desertion is the abandonment of a military duty or post without permission and is done with the intention of not returning. This contrasts with unauthorized absence (UA) or absence without leave, which are temporary forms of absence.
The Defector, by Octav Băncilă, 1906
Deserteur (Дезертир), by Ilya Repin, 1917
Armenian soldiers in 1919, with deserters as prisoners
A 1918 cartoon by Cecil Hartt making light of the high incidence of soldiers going absent without leave in the Australian Imperial Force
First Australian Imperial Force
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The First Australian Imperial Force was the main expeditionary force of the Australian Army during the First World War. It was formed as the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) following Britain's declaration of war on Germany on 15 August 1914, with an initial strength of one infantry division and one light horse brigade. The infantry division subsequently fought at Gallipoli between April and December 1915, with a newly raised second division, as well as three light horse brigades, reinforcing the committed units.
Unidentified members of the 5th Division, enjoying a "smoko" near Mametz, on the Somme in France, December 1916. Some are wearing slouch hats, steel helmets and woollen garments, demonstrating both the variety of official battledress, and how it was modified, for local conditions.
Australian Prime Minister Billy Hughes (at left) with Lieutenant-General William Birdwood in early 1916
Soldiers from the 11th Battalion posing on the Great Pyramid of Giza, 1915.
Australian light horsemen