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William Hughes 1915-1916. Image in public domain.

William Hughes 1915-1916. Image in public domain.

  • Prime Minister of Australia, Andrew Fisher, steps down for health reasons. He is succeeded by William Morris ‘Billy’ Hughes, who advocates a more active role for Australia in the war.
  • HMAS Melbourne intercepts the German-owned steamer Hamborn, off New York. Lieutenant Herbert Victor Creer, RAN, boards the vessel and steams it to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where it is impounded.