 During the war the AIF gained a reputation , at least amongst British officers , for indifference to military authority and indiscipline when away from the battlefield on leave . This included a reputation for refusing to salute officers , sloppy dress , lack of respect for military rank and drunkenness on leave . <unk> , misbehaviour , and public drunkenness were reportedly widespread in Egypt in 1914 – 15 , while a number of AIF personnel were also involved in several civil disturbances or riots in the red @-@ light district of Cairo during this period . Australians also appear to have been over @-@ represented among British Empire personnel convicted by court martial of various disciplinary offences on the Western Front from 1916 , especially absence without leave ; however , this may at least be partially explained by the refusal of the Australian government to follow the British Army practice of applying the death penalty to desertion , unlike New Zealand or Canada , as well as to the high proportion of front @-@ line personnel . Instead , Australian soldiers received prison sentences , including hard labour and life imprisonment , for desertion as well as for other serious offences , including manslaughter , assault and theft . More minor offences included drunkenness and defiance of authority . There were also examples of Australian soldiers being involved in looting , while the practice of " scrounging " or " souveniring " was also widespread . The stresses from prolonged combat contributed to a high incidence of indiscipline within AIF units , and especially those in France during the heavy fighting between April and October 1918 . Following the war , the indiscipline within the AIF was often portrayed as harmless <unk> . 
