Dodging the Devil

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.