On 28 June 1915, young James Martin sailed from Melbourne aboard the
troopship Berrima - bound, ultimately, for Gallipoli. He was just
fourteen years old. "Soldier Boy" is Jim's extraordinary true story, the
story of a young and enthusiastic school boy who became Australia's
youngest known Anzac. Four months after leaving his home country he
would be numbered among the dead, just one of so many soldier boys who
travelled halfway around the world for the chance of adventure. This is,
however, just as much the story of Jim's mother, Amelia Martin. It is
the heartbreaking tale of the mother who had to let him go, of his
family who lost a son, a brother, an uncle, a friend. It is about
Amelia's boy who, like so many others, just wanted to be in on the
action. (Trove)
Young Digger
Camberwell
London
:
Penguin
,
2002
Z978714
2002
single work
biography
historical fiction
young adult
An extraordinary story about Henri Tovell who was known as 'Young Digger'. Orphaned, homeless and no more than seven years old, he attached himself to several British Army fighting units, until he was eventually smuggled back to Australia where he was raised by an airman as his own son. Ages 14+.
