Dodging the Devil: Letters From the Front - Gallipoli, Fromelles & Bullecourt

Landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula at Anzac Cove on 25 April 1915, fighting at Lone Pine, surviving Fromelles and suffering Bullecourt, George Martindale’s war experiences reflect a litany of our nation’s hallowed trials.

George described these actions for members of his family in the letters he sent home, forming a collection of his writings that is the basis of this book. He may well have become one of the great writers of twentieth century Australia had his life not ended prematurely as a result of the injuries he sustained on the Western Front.

George’s letters were a gift to his family but more so to posterity. They retain the scent of the trenches, and the stains of no man’s land. In them he honoured his mates, cherished his heritage and condemned falsities. His letters allow us to look back more than 100 years, and for his words to reach out to future generations.

George Martindale was born on the 2nd April 1887 in Dimboola, Victoria, the 2nd oldest of 5 siblings. George's father was a carpenter, general tradesman and undertaker who owned a prosperous business in the town. George learnt his trade of carpenter from his father. When war broke out he enlisted on 21st August 1914, but because he signed up in Melbourne he ended up in the 5th Battalion, whereas most of his friends from Dimboola joined the 8th Battalion. After serving for approximately 3 years he was seriously wounded at Bullecourt on the 9th May 1917, losing his right eye and a portion of his skull and brain. He returned to Australia permanently unfit for service, and continued to suffer from fits and seizures as a result of his head wound. One of these seizures proved fatal and he died on the 2nd of April 1922.