Dodging the Devil

2016 | Biography

On the 21st August 1914, George Martindale, along with many of his peers, enlisted for the war in service of Australia. Part of the 5th Battalion, he served for over 3 years and witnessed some of the largest and most catastrophic battles of World War 1. From the very beginning, when George was sent to Egypt to undertake training with some of the first of the enlisted men, he wrote home. He documented his daily life in the war - the events, his feelings and opinions - and sent these messages and photographs back to his family in Melbourne. His military experience took him through some of the most notorious battles of the war - he was sent to Gallipoli and fought in the battle of Lone Pine, eventually being evacuated when the troops were pulled out. He was then sent to France where he was a part of the infamous Fromelles battle, where in one night more than 5000 Australian casualties virtually wiped out his Division. He went on to Bullecourt, also a notorious battleground on the Western front, where he was seriously injured, putting an end to his army career.

His letters tell his story beginning with the excitement of signing up and sailing across the world to fight the enemy, to world weary after having seen so much death and destruction. His letters tell the revealing real-life story of Gallipoli, Fromelles and Bullecourt. Through George Martindale's letters we see the First World War through his eyes, and experience the war as he did.

George Martindale (Author)