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Soldier Boy
The true story of Jim Martin, the youngest Anzac.
On 28th June 1915, young James Martin sailed from Melbourne on the troopship Berrima, bound ultimately for Gallipoli. He was just 14 years old. This is Jim's extraordinary story of how an inexperienced & enthusiastic school boy became Australia's youngest Anzac.
On 28th June 1915, young James Martin sailed from Melbourne on the troopship Berrima, bound ultimately for Gallipoli. He was just 14 years old. This is Jim's extraordinary story of how an inexperienced & enthusiastic school boy became Australia's youngest Anzac.
173 pages
First published February 15, 2001
23 people are currently reading
185 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Hill
70 books23 followersAnthony Hill was born in Melbourne on 24 May, 1942. In a varied career he has been a newspaper and television reporter, political journalist, antique dealer, speech-writer for Australia's Governor-General, and now full-time author.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
July 7, 2017
James Martin was just 14 years old. How 102 years later can we understand what they were thinking at that time?
October 27, 2020
Why did the author rewrite his death 5 times????? It's only sad the first time. Period.
May 12, 2017
This text is about the life of the youngest ANZAC soldier, Jim Martin, who was only 14 when he went into battle and sadly died. I chose to read this text because I wanted to learn about what it was like on the battlefield and what life was like back during the time of World War 1.
I’m very passionate about the history of war and to find out that this book is a true story piqued my interest. Even though the author of this book would have no clue what exactly happened to this young soldier, he can still accurately write about his life, by conducting thorough research. It must have taken a lot of digging to find the story of this young soldier’s life before and during the war. The story itself is very eye-opening to what life was like back then, before and during the war. I have always been interested by history and by finding this story on this young soldier that came from a place close to home, piques my interest.
This text is a great insight into what is was like back then and what went through the minds of young men when World War 1 broke out. It showed how young boys saw going into war as “fun” rather than the death sentence that it was. This gives a great opportunity for young boy’s around the age of 14 now, to reflect on how they would react to war, and think about whether it is wise to react the same way that Jim Martin did. Reading about the life and thoughts of Jim Martin is a good lesson for people, showing that you should think about the risks and consequences before undergoing any dangerous task, like going into battle.
A feature of this book that I found quite interesting the way the author added in some typical Australian phrases like, “Home sweet home! Welcome to Gallipoli, mate…” and “We always said Bert was a one-eyed coot.”. This adds a real sense of culture to this book and makes it that little more special to the readers from Australia. By adding this in, it makes it feel just that little bit more real, rather than writing it in the same boring language, By growing up around many cultures I have been able to meet a few people from Australia and I think it is really interesting learning about the history of their country.
Overall, I think this novel was very interesting and is a great learning tool for students around the ages of 10 and up, as it educates you on the history of Australia, what was going through the minds of young men around their age, and what life was like during that time.
I’m very passionate about the history of war and to find out that this book is a true story piqued my interest. Even though the author of this book would have no clue what exactly happened to this young soldier, he can still accurately write about his life, by conducting thorough research. It must have taken a lot of digging to find the story of this young soldier’s life before and during the war. The story itself is very eye-opening to what life was like back then, before and during the war. I have always been interested by history and by finding this story on this young soldier that came from a place close to home, piques my interest.
This text is a great insight into what is was like back then and what went through the minds of young men when World War 1 broke out. It showed how young boys saw going into war as “fun” rather than the death sentence that it was. This gives a great opportunity for young boy’s around the age of 14 now, to reflect on how they would react to war, and think about whether it is wise to react the same way that Jim Martin did. Reading about the life and thoughts of Jim Martin is a good lesson for people, showing that you should think about the risks and consequences before undergoing any dangerous task, like going into battle.
A feature of this book that I found quite interesting the way the author added in some typical Australian phrases like, “Home sweet home! Welcome to Gallipoli, mate…” and “We always said Bert was a one-eyed coot.”. This adds a real sense of culture to this book and makes it that little more special to the readers from Australia. By adding this in, it makes it feel just that little bit more real, rather than writing it in the same boring language, By growing up around many cultures I have been able to meet a few people from Australia and I think it is really interesting learning about the history of their country.
Overall, I think this novel was very interesting and is a great learning tool for students around the ages of 10 and up, as it educates you on the history of Australia, what was going through the minds of young men around their age, and what life was like during that time.
May 27, 2012
Soldier Boy provides us with a well researched and historically accurate picture of Australia at war that is easy to read and makes for an excellent introduction to Anzac.
I still cannot understand the minds of young Australian men who were desperate to go off to war - to be killed and maimed but it seems most chomping at the bit to become soldiers and serve overseas in WWI. Those young men had the courage and the gumption to do something I could not contemplate doing. Some of them were not men, but just young boys like 14 year-old Jim Martin. I look at some of the fourteen year old boys I teach and try to picture them lying in a dirty, dusty trench with a rifle at the ready. Jim’s story is both heartbreaking and awe-inspiring. Honour, doing the right thing and suffering without complaint were important to him. I cried for the cruel circumstances that meant his letters home were not delivered to his anxiously waiting parents. Instead they received letters that informed them their son had died.
I still cannot understand the minds of young Australian men who were desperate to go off to war - to be killed and maimed but it seems most chomping at the bit to become soldiers and serve overseas in WWI. Those young men had the courage and the gumption to do something I could not contemplate doing. Some of them were not men, but just young boys like 14 year-old Jim Martin. I look at some of the fourteen year old boys I teach and try to picture them lying in a dirty, dusty trench with a rifle at the ready. Jim’s story is both heartbreaking and awe-inspiring. Honour, doing the right thing and suffering without complaint were important to him. I cried for the cruel circumstances that meant his letters home were not delivered to his anxiously waiting parents. Instead they received letters that informed them their son had died.
December 4, 2019
I only gave this two stars because of how Anthony Hill wrote Jim's story through his flashbacks when he dies. Otherwise this was a painful book. There was too much description and the writing was just blah. It was like a really, really boring information report. And it was utterly lifeless. Just kind of...blah. I had to read this for school and no, I am not a fan.
January 31, 2025
Great read. Easy to read.
November 15, 2017
This is not the first time I have read this book, but it always wants to make me cry.
The world and attitudes of 1914 are ones I can't possibly understand, and the attitude of a 14 year old boy in Australia is further outside my experience.
Many thousands of men across the then British Empire joined the Armed Forces when the Great War broke out in 1914 after years of political unrest and sabre rattling between the Balkan States with the loudest rattling coming out of the Kaiser in Germany.
Australia only became its own Federation in 1900, the same year James (Jim) Martin was born, a second generation Australian. Anthony Hill records Jim's known history, of which, as he was only 14 years and 9 months when he died, there isn't much. Family recollection is drawn upon, and the few remaining things that were returned to the family after his death are referred to and pictured.
When war broke out, 4th August 1914, Jim was still at school, in the mandatory Cadet service that the Australian government was determined to support after the Federation was formed. Of course, only boys and young men were recruited - women weren't allowed to join the armed forces until 1917 with the formation of the Women's Army Corps, Women's RAF and Women's Royal Naval Service in 1917.
When Jim's father, at 44, was turned down by the Army recruiters, Jim had been working on his Aunt and Uncle's farm and told his father that he would go instead. His parents, the compliant father and his more forceful mother, Amelia were horrified. Amelia sounds as if she was the driving force behind the family fortunes, running successive boarding houses and ensuring the large family were always moving to better houses in better areas to make a living.
His parent's initially refused to sign the form to allow Jim to join up - you had to be 18 years of age to join up and underage recruits discovered were sent home immediately, or held in barracks on other non-martial duties until they were of age. Jim was well short of 18, but determined and told his parents that they had a choice - they either signed the consent form to allow him to join up, or he would run away, join up under another name and they would never him from him again.
This, of course, was no choice at all, and his parents reluctantly agreed, Amelia hopeful her son would be discovered and sent home.
But Jim wasn't. The recruiting officer Doctor declared him the fittest recruit he'd seen that day, and with the physical work he'd been doing on the farm, Jim looked old enough to be 18 -if only just. And plenty of recruiting officers turned a blind eye to an underage recruit if he showed promise and Jim obviously did.
All through training, Jim remained undiscovered - and his parents never dare report him, fearful of the official consequences and Jim's threat.
Jim's regiment - 21st Division, ANZAC, was sent aboard in 1915. The ship taking them to Egypt to complete their training was struck by a torpedo but Jim and his best friend, Cec - another underage recruit at 16, survived. The regiment was sent to Gallipoli and within 6 weeks, Jim was dead.
Not of wounds, not of a bullet, but from typhoid which swept through the trenches of both sides. The author theorizes that Jim was terrified of being identified as being an underage recruit and of letting his mates down that he refused to go sick - and by the time he collapsed in the line, and was evacuated to a hospital ship, it was too late. Within 2 hours of his arrival on the Hospital Ship Glenart Castle, Jim is dead.
Too sad, but not an unfamiliar fate to any man who fought in the Dardenelles or the young men on the Western or any other front during the Great War. Definitely worth reading - recommend for both young readers and adults.
The world and attitudes of 1914 are ones I can't possibly understand, and the attitude of a 14 year old boy in Australia is further outside my experience.
Many thousands of men across the then British Empire joined the Armed Forces when the Great War broke out in 1914 after years of political unrest and sabre rattling between the Balkan States with the loudest rattling coming out of the Kaiser in Germany.
Australia only became its own Federation in 1900, the same year James (Jim) Martin was born, a second generation Australian. Anthony Hill records Jim's known history, of which, as he was only 14 years and 9 months when he died, there isn't much. Family recollection is drawn upon, and the few remaining things that were returned to the family after his death are referred to and pictured.
When war broke out, 4th August 1914, Jim was still at school, in the mandatory Cadet service that the Australian government was determined to support after the Federation was formed. Of course, only boys and young men were recruited - women weren't allowed to join the armed forces until 1917 with the formation of the Women's Army Corps, Women's RAF and Women's Royal Naval Service in 1917.
When Jim's father, at 44, was turned down by the Army recruiters, Jim had been working on his Aunt and Uncle's farm and told his father that he would go instead. His parents, the compliant father and his more forceful mother, Amelia were horrified. Amelia sounds as if she was the driving force behind the family fortunes, running successive boarding houses and ensuring the large family were always moving to better houses in better areas to make a living.
His parent's initially refused to sign the form to allow Jim to join up - you had to be 18 years of age to join up and underage recruits discovered were sent home immediately, or held in barracks on other non-martial duties until they were of age. Jim was well short of 18, but determined and told his parents that they had a choice - they either signed the consent form to allow him to join up, or he would run away, join up under another name and they would never him from him again.
This, of course, was no choice at all, and his parents reluctantly agreed, Amelia hopeful her son would be discovered and sent home.
But Jim wasn't. The recruiting officer Doctor declared him the fittest recruit he'd seen that day, and with the physical work he'd been doing on the farm, Jim looked old enough to be 18 -if only just. And plenty of recruiting officers turned a blind eye to an underage recruit if he showed promise and Jim obviously did.
All through training, Jim remained undiscovered - and his parents never dare report him, fearful of the official consequences and Jim's threat.
Jim's regiment - 21st Division, ANZAC, was sent aboard in 1915. The ship taking them to Egypt to complete their training was struck by a torpedo but Jim and his best friend, Cec - another underage recruit at 16, survived. The regiment was sent to Gallipoli and within 6 weeks, Jim was dead.
Not of wounds, not of a bullet, but from typhoid which swept through the trenches of both sides. The author theorizes that Jim was terrified of being identified as being an underage recruit and of letting his mates down that he refused to go sick - and by the time he collapsed in the line, and was evacuated to a hospital ship, it was too late. Within 2 hours of his arrival on the Hospital Ship Glenart Castle, Jim is dead.
Too sad, but not an unfamiliar fate to any man who fought in the Dardenelles or the young men on the Western or any other front during the Great War. Definitely worth reading - recommend for both young readers and adults.
May 20, 2016
'Soldier Boy' is the true story of Jim Martin,the youngest ANZAC. When he enlists, with the reluctant consent of his parents, he is only 14 years and 9 months old. So very young! I can only imagine how his parents must have felt.
But like the thousands of other young Australian men at that time, Jim wanted to fight for his country and nobody was going to stop him. And if his parents had refused, he would have found some other way.
Jim is almost drowned on the way to Turkey when the ship he is travelling on, the 'Southland', is torpedoed. But he survives, and eventually finds himself at Gallipoli.
But Jim's story is also about his family and the life they had before the war. It paints a picture of a close, hardworking family. There are photographs throughout the book and seeing Jim standing tall and strong is a poignant reminder that he was just a boy - one of many young men who went to war looking for adventure.
As I'm sure most people are aware, the conditions at Gallipoli were horrendous. This book really brings home the reality of what the soldiers had to face. Death is everywhere and not just from gunfire. Their worst enemy was disease. Thousands of men became seriously ill or died from typhoid, dysentery and other diseases. But Jim and his mates do their duty as they have been trained to do.
And eventually, it is not a bullet that claims Jim's young life, but disease. Afraid that his true age will be discovered, he doesn't seek help early on. It is not until he collapses on duty that he is sent to the hospital ship. Sadly, he succumbs to typhoid and dies on board.
But this book is not just about Jim. It's about family, courage and mateship. It's about sacrifice and honour. Many of Jim's letters home have been preserved, but it seems he never received any letters from his family, although they were sent. Who knows how many other young men waited in hope for a letter that never came? It's simply heartbreaking.
I found this book profoundly moving. I don't read a lot of non-fiction, but as the great grand daughter of a soldier who fought and was wounded in France during WWI, I have a particular interest in this period of our history. RIP Jim, and thank you.
But like the thousands of other young Australian men at that time, Jim wanted to fight for his country and nobody was going to stop him. And if his parents had refused, he would have found some other way.
Jim is almost drowned on the way to Turkey when the ship he is travelling on, the 'Southland', is torpedoed. But he survives, and eventually finds himself at Gallipoli.
But Jim's story is also about his family and the life they had before the war. It paints a picture of a close, hardworking family. There are photographs throughout the book and seeing Jim standing tall and strong is a poignant reminder that he was just a boy - one of many young men who went to war looking for adventure.
As I'm sure most people are aware, the conditions at Gallipoli were horrendous. This book really brings home the reality of what the soldiers had to face. Death is everywhere and not just from gunfire. Their worst enemy was disease. Thousands of men became seriously ill or died from typhoid, dysentery and other diseases. But Jim and his mates do their duty as they have been trained to do.
And eventually, it is not a bullet that claims Jim's young life, but disease. Afraid that his true age will be discovered, he doesn't seek help early on. It is not until he collapses on duty that he is sent to the hospital ship. Sadly, he succumbs to typhoid and dies on board.
But this book is not just about Jim. It's about family, courage and mateship. It's about sacrifice and honour. Many of Jim's letters home have been preserved, but it seems he never received any letters from his family, although they were sent. Who knows how many other young men waited in hope for a letter that never came? It's simply heartbreaking.
I found this book profoundly moving. I don't read a lot of non-fiction, but as the great grand daughter of a soldier who fought and was wounded in France during WWI, I have a particular interest in this period of our history. RIP Jim, and thank you.
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March 22, 2011I had to read this book for yr 8, BORING! I reccon this book needs to be read more than twise for you to even get the story! I thought this book was so cinfusing, and not to meantion really boring! Sorry to those people who enjoy these sorta books... dont worry it just MY opinion of the book :p
May 16, 2011
I only read this because of school and i didnt really like it that much.
March 29, 2012
I LOVED THIS BOOK. i loved reading about the youngest anzac and i even did a report on this book.
March 23, 2011
Ok, if you like depressing stories
March 8, 2023
I always enjoy reading about War, which is probably becoming evident through the Book Reviews that I have submitted.
This book grabbed my attention as it is the True Story of the youngest Anzac- Jim (James) Martin, at the tender age of 14. His parents hoped with all their might he would be found to be underage and sent home.
His story was an interesting one, as was the tragedy that kept occurring within the family. They certainly had their fair share of sorrow and grief.
Jim's letters home was also an interesting read - the ones that managed to survive.
A very well written and researched book by Anthony Hill.
This book grabbed my attention as it is the True Story of the youngest Anzac- Jim (James) Martin, at the tender age of 14. His parents hoped with all their might he would be found to be underage and sent home.
His story was an interesting one, as was the tragedy that kept occurring within the family. They certainly had their fair share of sorrow and grief.
Jim's letters home was also an interesting read - the ones that managed to survive.
A very well written and researched book by Anthony Hill.
January 29, 2025
An excellent book on the tragic short life of Jim Martin, the youngest ANZAC, who died aged 14 while fighting at Gallipoli.
The Author gives great insights into the turmoil faced by the family when their young boy plans to enlist by lying about his age.
I learned quite a lot about the famous Gallipoli campaign, including the staggering toll that disease took on troop numbers.
An extraordinary story.
The Author gives great insights into the turmoil faced by the family when their young boy plans to enlist by lying about his age.
I learned quite a lot about the famous Gallipoli campaign, including the staggering toll that disease took on troop numbers.
An extraordinary story.
January 25, 2020
A simple but compelling read which once again demonstrates the futility of war and especially WW1. It is a tragic story about the youngest ANZAC to die at Gallipoli and is a must read for history enthusiasts. I liked the style of the writing and the author avoided the temptation to make Martin a real "hero" type. He allowed the reader to make their own mind up which was very effective.
April 9, 2024
I was troubled with this book as it contained much speculation and also much repitition. Rather than having the letters grouped in an Appendix, there would have been more value in making the letters part of the body of the book in chronological sequence.
Found at a Street Library and to a Street Library it was returned.
Found at a Street Library and to a Street Library it was returned.
September 29, 2020
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November 23, 2016
I Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book!
This novel, Soldier Boy, written by Anthony Hill is a well written book that takes hold of you and pulls you inside, showing exactly what the Australians went through in the World War 1. This novel, is a true story about a young boy, Jim Martin, the youngest ANZAC. Jim was only 14 years old, although his papers said he was already18, there was no proof of this.
Jim Martin was a normal boy at school in the senior cadets; he was full of adventure and wanted to experience life. When the war broke out he was going and nobody was or could stop him. He saw this to be a good chance for an adventure and some fun. He ended up telling his parents that either they signed his papers or he would run away and join up and they wouldn’t hear from him again; the other option was to sign the papers and he would still stay in touch.
Soldier Boy is an Australian written novel, so therefore the language is colloquial; being typical Australians, they joked around in all kinds of conditions, trying to find the good side of everything. For example:
“…Facing the sea were dugouts and pozzies scratched into the soil. They were no more than holes in the ground covered with canvas and blankets, where men cleaned and rested themselves as best they could away from the firing line.
“Home sweet home!”
Welcome to Gallipoli, mate…” (page 99)
And…
“…The bullet was deflected downwards, passing through his eye, coming out his cheek, re-entering his shoulder and coming out again through his armpit… the others standing around cracked a laugh.
“We always said Bert was a one –eyed coot.”
“Don’t keep me to long, Doc,” said Bert as he hobbled out of the trench. “I want to take a bet with these blokes on the chance of it happening again…” (page 110)
Jim Martin, during the war, made a few mates but the main one was Cec Hogan. Cec was still a schoolboy, in Benalla, when he enlisted; he was 16 years of age, two years older than Jim was. To enlist, Cec told the officers he was 18 years old and a butcher by trade – but it was his mate Bob Briggs who was the butcher. Although Cec’s parents and school Headmaster tried to talk him out of going, he told them, “…I’m going anyway, and if you try to stop me I’ll run off and join under another name”.
Jim and Cec did everything together and shared many things, although they had a close friendship, Jim never admitted the whole truth about his age, not even to Cec.
“…He dare not trust himself…or trust anybody with the whole truth. Not even a mate. The merest slip, and he could be sent back to Australia and have to start all over again”.
The themes, ideas, morals and messages that came through this book are that the young soldiers that joined up just thought it was a game and was all fun. The morals I got, from this book, are to always look on the positive side of things and just be happy you’re alive; also having courage in what you believe and fight for what you think is right.
I think this book is fantastic! I would recommend it to all children from year 7 and up to read. My reason for this is that in certain parts, of the book, it is a bit gruesome revealing the true terrors of war. But other than that it is a great factual novel that children can learn from about Australian history and the World War1, seeing that this isn’t just a game, many brave people died doing what they thought was right.
This novel, Soldier Boy, written by Anthony Hill is a well written book that takes hold of you and pulls you inside, showing exactly what the Australians went through in the World War 1. This novel, is a true story about a young boy, Jim Martin, the youngest ANZAC. Jim was only 14 years old, although his papers said he was already18, there was no proof of this.
Jim Martin was a normal boy at school in the senior cadets; he was full of adventure and wanted to experience life. When the war broke out he was going and nobody was or could stop him. He saw this to be a good chance for an adventure and some fun. He ended up telling his parents that either they signed his papers or he would run away and join up and they wouldn’t hear from him again; the other option was to sign the papers and he would still stay in touch.
Soldier Boy is an Australian written novel, so therefore the language is colloquial; being typical Australians, they joked around in all kinds of conditions, trying to find the good side of everything. For example:
“…Facing the sea were dugouts and pozzies scratched into the soil. They were no more than holes in the ground covered with canvas and blankets, where men cleaned and rested themselves as best they could away from the firing line.
“Home sweet home!”
Welcome to Gallipoli, mate…” (page 99)
And…
“…The bullet was deflected downwards, passing through his eye, coming out his cheek, re-entering his shoulder and coming out again through his armpit… the others standing around cracked a laugh.
“We always said Bert was a one –eyed coot.”
“Don’t keep me to long, Doc,” said Bert as he hobbled out of the trench. “I want to take a bet with these blokes on the chance of it happening again…” (page 110)
Jim Martin, during the war, made a few mates but the main one was Cec Hogan. Cec was still a schoolboy, in Benalla, when he enlisted; he was 16 years of age, two years older than Jim was. To enlist, Cec told the officers he was 18 years old and a butcher by trade – but it was his mate Bob Briggs who was the butcher. Although Cec’s parents and school Headmaster tried to talk him out of going, he told them, “…I’m going anyway, and if you try to stop me I’ll run off and join under another name”.
Jim and Cec did everything together and shared many things, although they had a close friendship, Jim never admitted the whole truth about his age, not even to Cec.
“…He dare not trust himself…or trust anybody with the whole truth. Not even a mate. The merest slip, and he could be sent back to Australia and have to start all over again”.
The themes, ideas, morals and messages that came through this book are that the young soldiers that joined up just thought it was a game and was all fun. The morals I got, from this book, are to always look on the positive side of things and just be happy you’re alive; also having courage in what you believe and fight for what you think is right.
I think this book is fantastic! I would recommend it to all children from year 7 and up to read. My reason for this is that in certain parts, of the book, it is a bit gruesome revealing the true terrors of war. But other than that it is a great factual novel that children can learn from about Australian history and the World War1, seeing that this isn’t just a game, many brave people died doing what they thought was right.
October 12, 2015
This book is interesting, let's put it that way.
I went into this book expecting to read a biography of a young boy, thrust into the cold abyss that is war.
Instead I got a bunch of legal documents about a young boy, thrust into the cold abyss that is war, stuffed between two covers.
When I read a book I want to really embrace the character, but their was really nothing here to embrace.
This unfortunately, made me disrespect a book that really needs some respect.
In the saddest parts of the book I ended up feeling empty when really with any another book I would bawl my eyes out. (Don't judge me but I cried during 'survive year five')
I'm giving this a solid 2/5 because I felt like Mr. Hill put lots of effort into researching, but in the end it's about how you adapt to that information that matters most.
I went into this book expecting to read a biography of a young boy, thrust into the cold abyss that is war.
Instead I got a bunch of legal documents about a young boy, thrust into the cold abyss that is war, stuffed between two covers.
When I read a book I want to really embrace the character, but their was really nothing here to embrace.
This unfortunately, made me disrespect a book that really needs some respect.
In the saddest parts of the book I ended up feeling empty when really with any another book I would bawl my eyes out. (Don't judge me but I cried during 'survive year five')
I'm giving this a solid 2/5 because I felt like Mr. Hill put lots of effort into researching, but in the end it's about how you adapt to that information that matters most.
February 6, 2017
This is a very well researched story. My hat is off to the author, Anthony Hill. This book gives great insight to the life of young Jim Martin, Australia's youngest ever soldier, and his family. It also gives a clear and accurate picture of life and conditions in Gallipoli. Why young lads wanted to run off to enlist to be a part of the "fun" is beyond me. War is not for boys. Jim conducted himself well, way beyond his years. I would recommend this book to people interested in the people involved in WWI or those interested in Australian history.
December 29, 2013
I enjoyed this book. I thought it be a great insight into what it was like and what went through the minds of young men when WW1 broke out. this book should be read by all young australians so they have some sort of idea what boys who were close to their age endured and died far from home.
February 13, 2016
Soldier boy brought me to tears, it really just comes to show that war does terrible but amazing things to our world and people. The bravery and strength shown by Jim Marrin was inspiring and proves that no matter what age you are that you can make a difference.
April 13, 2010
another book i had to read for english, it was okay. i found the story skipped around too much for my liking.
March 16, 2011
i strongly disliked this book. very boring and nothing happens. it only has about 12 pages of him actually in turkey on the shores of anzac cove
March 16, 2011
Biographys aren't fun to read
March 22, 2011
I really enjoyed it for some unknown reason. I guess it is close to me and my family:(
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June 6, 20112nd WORST BOOK ever read..... it was so boring maybe people of an older age than 13 may be interested. but 13 year olds think it is terrible. :D
June 7, 2011
REEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLYYYYYYYYYYYYYY BORING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 19, 2012
it was kinda boring and I didn't really get the book. because of how he dies at the start then it goes back to when he was a kid and then back to when he died it was just confusing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2013
recoop reading was ok
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews