of children, boys as young as twelve were fighting in the trenches.
It is estimated over 700,000 boys under the age of eighteen fought coming from all sides with over 100,000 dying in the “War to End all Wars”.
Although the same participation rate was not as great in the Second World War many still fought particularly from Germany. Hitler used his “Hitler Youth” as cannon fodder when the Russians were invading Germany and ultimately Berlin. It is estimated that close to 30,000 boys and girls lost their lives trying to defend Germany and their Fuhrer.
So now that the world has learned from these ferocious wars and we have become much more sophisticated and knowledgeable does child exploitation in war still go on? Yes, unfortunately more now, than ever before.
The use of child soldiers is far more widespread than many can believe; current estimates are that over 300,000 children under the age of eighteen are fighting with machine guns and machetes in war zones around the globe.
It might be argued that eighteen isn’t that young, however the average age of these warriors is twelve. So far, the youngest captured fighting in Uganda was five. In Columbia a terrorist bomber was captured, he was seven.
It’s not just boys fighting, 30% of the armies employing children also use girls, these girls are being used to fight in approximately fifty-five countries around the world.
A frightening statistic is children currently serve in 40% of the world’s armed forces including rebel groups and terrorist organisations such as Boko Haram and I.S.
It’s not just in the war zones where children are exploited up to half a million children are serving in the armed forces of countries not currently engaged in war.
These kids aren’t flocking to recruitment stations, they are being abducted from their villages and forced to engage in unspeakable atrocities to harden their resolve.
They then partake in raids where whole villages are either massacred or kidnapped. The boys are converted into terrorists and the girls into sex slaves.
With an abundance of child recruits, warlords are more prevalent to initiate new conflicts – their supply chain is never ending.
The legacy they leave behind when these conflicts eventually end are battle scared children that require re education and counselling for many years.
Boys Own War is a book that will shock you but hopefully also educate you to the horrors of war and the effect it has on our greatest assets…the children.
Explanation of Ranks and Infantry Organisation
Throughout this book terms will be used which may be unfamiliar to the reader.
Infantry Groups
| Platoon | 24- 48 men comprising 3 to 4 Sections |
| Company | 120 men comprising 3 to 4 Platoons plus HQ support. |
| Battalion | 700-800 men comprising 3 to 4 Companies plus HQ support. |
| Brigade | 3000-4000 men comprising 3 to 4 Battalions plus HQ support. |
| Division | 12000-14000 men comprising 3 to 4 Brigades plus HQ support. |
| Corps | 30,000-40,000 men comprising 3 to 4 Divisions plus HQ support |
Infantry Ranks
PrivateBasic rank.
Lance CorporalFirst possible promotion from Private.
SergeantSecond in command of a platoon.
Staff SergeantAdministration
LieutenantThe most junior commissioned officer, usually commands a platoon.
CaptainSecond in command of an infantry Company.
MajorCommands an Infantry Company.
Lieutenant ColonelCommands an Infantry Regiment.
Colonel Commanding officer in an Infantry Battalion.
BrigadierCommands an Infantry Brigade.
Major GeneralCommands an Infantry Division.
Lieutenant GeneralCommands an Infantry Corp.
General Commands an Infantry Army
Field Marshal Commands many Infantry Armies
School Days
Chapter 1
Melbourne, Australia. 2013
Twenty young boys, all members of the Bentleigh Football Club were standing around in a circle, a huddle formed around their coach Ron Hardeman. They were down the northern end of the Bentleigh Football ground, Ron was giving his final pep talk before the whistle blew and the game began.
‘OK lads, you know how critical this game is. We win this one and we’re into the grand final. It’s a must-win game. We have to slaughter them. ‘So’, he paused. ‘What are we going to do?’
‘We’re going to kill them,’ shouted the team.
‘Are we going to give an inch?’
‘Never. Take no prisoners’.
‘So get out there and show them what you’re all made of.’
Joshua Bowes was fifteen, proud that he had made the Bentleigh under sixteen team playing centre half forward. If it was a good game, he and the other forwards would kick plenty of goals. His best mate from school, Cameron Davey, played for the opposition team, Brighton. It was sometimes a little strange that he and Cameron played together on the firsts team at Haileybury College, the school they both attended, yet here they were sworn enemies, each team fighting for the honour of the grand final.
The umpire’s whistle blew signalling the game was underway. The ball was bounced, the ruckman flew, the ball was punched to the Bentleigh centre, Jason Smith, who kicked it to Joshua. He took the mark. Too far out to attempt kicking the goal himself Joshua passed the ball to Tyrone Wright who marked it thirty metres out from goal. Known for his kicking accuracy, Tyrone booted the ball accurately through the posts. Bentleigh had drawn first blood.
The game was fought hard and fast, Bentleigh the victors by twenty points. Celebrations in their change rooms included a somewhat raucous version of the Bentleigh team song.
A markedly different atmosphere in the Brighton room with heads down the odd tear and an almost tangible sense of defeat.
Cameron felt miserable. He had so badly wanted to play in the grand final and now had to wait another year without any guarantee Brighton would get through to the top level then. Sounds from the next room became louder as the Bentleigh team ramped up their songs, laughter and celebratory cheers. Cameron’s mood sank further. He could only imagine what Joshua would
