The Story of James Martin: Australia's Youngest Loss

As Anzac Day approaches, we reflect on the bravery and sacrifice of those who served in World War I, including the remarkable story of James (Jim) Martin. At just 14 years old, Martin enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF), a demonstration of his youthful determination. His story, though tragically brief, serves as a powerful reminder of the profound impact of war on Australia's youth.

During the time of World War I, each man in Australia who was of ‘military age’ (19–38 years old) was given the right to decide whether they would enlist and go to war. This decision would affect nearly every family in the country. From Australia's population of around five million people, 416,809 men enlisted in the AIF, of which over 60,000 were killed and 156,000 were wounded, gassed or taken prisoner.

Born on January 3, 1901, in Tocumwal, New South Wales, Martin showed an early interest in the military, joining the cadets at school. Eager to serve his country, Martin sought to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force in 1915. Despite his young age, he was determined to represent his family, after his father was rejected from service due to his age.

Martin faced numerous obstacles in his quest to enlist. At just 14 years and three months old, he was well below the minimum enlistment age of 21. Undeterred, Martin threatened to run away and enlist under a false name if his parents did not grant him permission. His mother reluctantly agreed and provided written permission for him to join the AIF.

Studio portrait of Private James Martin of Hawthorn, Vic. c April 1915.

After several months of training at Broadmeadows Camp in Victoria, Martin embarked on his journey to war, departing from Melbourne to Egypt aboard the HMAT Berrima on June 28, 1915. From Egypt, Martin and his fellow reinforcements were deployed to Gallipoli, where they faced harsh realities of combat.

During the voyage to Gallipoli, their transport ship was torpedoed by a German submarine. Martin and several others spent hours in the water before being rescued.

Martin served in the trenches of Gallipoli after landing on September 7, 1915. As the war dragged on and Winter approached, the weather began to deteriorate. Martin describes the poor weather on the Gallipoli peninsula in a letter to his parents at the time. After a stretch of heavy rain, Martin contracted typhoid fever in late October. Mere hours after Martin was evacuated to the hospital ship HMHS Glenart Castle, his condition rapidly deteriorated, and Martin passed away from heart failure on October 25, 1915, just three months shy of his 15th birthday. He was buried at sea.

James Martin with his five sisters. c April 1915.

Martin's untimely death highlights the sacrifices made by Australia's youth during the war. Today, James Martin is remembered as the youngest Australian known to have died in World War I, one of 20 Australian soldiers under the age of 18 known to have died in the Great War. His name is inscribed on the Lone Pine Memorial at Gallipoli.

As we commemorate Anzac Day, let us honour the memory of James Martin and all those who served alongside him. Their legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of Australians.

Lest we forget.