Figure 1.--Jim Martin was the youngest soldier that fought at Galipoli. We were told he was the youngest Australian soldier that fought there. Jim Martin was 14 when he volunteered to join the army. Jim, like so many others boys fibbed about their real age to join the military. There is an Australian War Grave Cemetery at Galipoli called Lone Pine.

We do not have much information on individual Australians involved in the War. We have learned about Jim Martin. He was the youngest soldier that fought at Galipoli. We were told he was the youngest Australian soldier that fought there. Jim Martin was 14 when he volunteered to join the army. Jim, like so many others boys fibbed about their real age to join the military. There is an Australian War Grave Cemetery at Galipoli called Lone Pine. One of the names on the monument is Jim Martin. We have found a picture of him and found out a little more information. Jim was an Australian soldier. He served with the 21st Battalion Australian Infantry. Jim was only 14 years old when he volunteered to join the Army. His father went to join the army, but he was rejected for military service because he was not tall enough. Jim was 5 ft 6 in tall. In those days he was considered to be a tall lad for age 14. He told his father, "Never mind dad, I'll go instead". Jim went with his battalion to Gallipoli (September 8, 1915. Sadly he had to be evacuated to an hospital ship suffering from typhoid fever caught in the trenches (October 25). He died of heart failure that evening. Jim Martin is officially the youngest Australian serviceman to die at Gallipoli, Turkey.

Created: 4:06 AM 10/15/2007
Last updated: 4:06 AM 10/15/2007