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It was the year 1914, it was the year of James's thirteenth birthday, it was the year that the Great War would shock the world. It was no surprise that James would try and join the army, he and his father shared the same enthusiasm, "full of the latest war news and pictures. James and his father talked of little else." The two men in the Martin family shared each other's sense of adventure, "Jim wagged school that day,to see the march with Charlie." A dad and his son both wagging work and school to see the march to war. The war march had further reinforced the idea in both men that one day they would fight in the Great War. ""You should have seen it Mum!" The boy's voice breaking with emotion." That was James's boyish way of expressing himself after the parade. Charlie, James's father, had a much more adult and direct way of expressing himself, "I"m thinking of joining up myself" was what he stated to his wife after the parade. In the week after, Charlie put down his age and went up to the recruiting office in Melbourne. Charlie tried but was rejected. Then the responsibility was passed on from father to son, James, "Never mind Dad. I"ll go instead!" Something that started off as a joke was soon to become reality. Puberty had come early and his genitals had developed all the characteristics of a sexually mature man. The only thing stopping James was his parents. James's mother, Amelia was not about to let go of her young son. ""But you"re only fourteen" His mother was weeping." Amelia couldn't face the truth, that James did look eighteen and could easily pass the army's requirements. Charlie, James father was less violent in his response, he saw a little of the adventurous spirit he had when he tried to join but this was his son and he was not about to lose him at such a young age to war. In a way Charlie regrets of ever putting the of war idea up to James, Charlie feels it's his fault for not passing the army regulations and leaving that heavy burden upon his son.