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.