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Young Digger
The dark clouds returned and gathered about the boy. His eyes grew distant, and he began to tremble. He heard not only shells exploding, but the cries of dying men...He was stumbling over churned earth, looking into the faces of an officer, bloodied red as the poppies, ripped apart in the Flanders mud...
A small boy, an orphan of the First World War, wanders into the Australian airmen's mess in Germany, on Christmas day in 1918. A strange boy, with an uncertain past and an extra-ordinary future, he became a mascot for the air squadron and was affectionately named 'Young Digger'. And in one of the mot unusual incidents ever to emerge from the battlefields of Europe after the Great War, this solitary boy was smuggled back to Australia by air mechanic Tim Tovell, a man who cared for the boy so much that he was determined, however risky, to provide Young Digger with a new family and a new life in a new country, far from home.
From the award-winning, highly acclaimed author of the best-selling Soldier Boy comes another heartfelt tale of war, fate and unforgettable love.
A small boy, an orphan of the First World War, wanders into the Australian airmen's mess in Germany, on Christmas day in 1918. A strange boy, with an uncertain past and an extra-ordinary future, he became a mascot for the air squadron and was affectionately named 'Young Digger'. And in one of the mot unusual incidents ever to emerge from the battlefields of Europe after the Great War, this solitary boy was smuggled back to Australia by air mechanic Tim Tovell, a man who cared for the boy so much that he was determined, however risky, to provide Young Digger with a new family and a new life in a new country, far from home.
From the award-winning, highly acclaimed author of the best-selling Soldier Boy comes another heartfelt tale of war, fate and unforgettable love.
284 pages, Paperback
First published February 15, 2002
4 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Hill
60听books23听followersAnthony Hill was born in Melbourne on 24 May, 1942. In a varied career he has been a newspaper and television reporter, political journalist, antique dealer, speech-writer for Australia's Governor-General, and now full-time author.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 13, 2017
The small boy of indeterminate age headed toward the delightful smells wafting from the Australian airmen鈥檚 mess on Christmas day 1918. He鈥檇 come from the Tommy鈥檚 camp where their smells of cabbage turned his stomach 鈥� he much preferred the scents of Aussie food. And so he became affectionately known as Young Digger to the Air Squadron he鈥檇 befriended and Tim and Ted Tovell, brothers from Queensland, became his idols.
He was too young to remember his age; his birthday or even be sure of his name 鈥� though he thought it was the French equivalent of Henri. So Henry he became 鈥� and a mascot to the men of the No. 4 Squadron Australian Flying Corps. It was from there that Tim and his brother Ted concocted a way to smuggle Young Digger out of France and home to Australia where Tim would rejoin his wife and family, and make Henry his own son.
The tale of Young Digger is wonderfully done by Aussie author Anthony Hill; the story of Henry鈥檚 life before he met up with the Aussies in France is sparse as he was just too young to remember very much. But the story of his life from that fortunate day of allowing his senses to draw him to the mess and partake in a delicious Christmas lunch with men who would become true friends is heartfelt and raw. I thoroughly enjoyed Young Digger and have no hesitation in recommending it highly.
He was too young to remember his age; his birthday or even be sure of his name 鈥� though he thought it was the French equivalent of Henri. So Henry he became 鈥� and a mascot to the men of the No. 4 Squadron Australian Flying Corps. It was from there that Tim and his brother Ted concocted a way to smuggle Young Digger out of France and home to Australia where Tim would rejoin his wife and family, and make Henry his own son.
The tale of Young Digger is wonderfully done by Aussie author Anthony Hill; the story of Henry鈥檚 life before he met up with the Aussies in France is sparse as he was just too young to remember very much. But the story of his life from that fortunate day of allowing his senses to draw him to the mess and partake in a delicious Christmas lunch with men who would become true friends is heartfelt and raw. I thoroughly enjoyed Young Digger and have no hesitation in recommending it highly.
September 12, 2017
Young Digger is a true story about survival and love between an Australian Soldier and a young orphaned boy during First World War. Tim Tovell was 2nd air mechanic of the No. 4 Australian Flying Corps was caring for Henri the young mascot for Corps. However, Tim Tovell started to have feelings for the young orphan boy and did not want to leave him behind. Readers of Young Digger will continue to follow Tim's and Henri travels back to Australia.
I enjoyed reading the Young Digger. However, Young Digger did make me cry and other times made me laugh. I like the Anthony Hill writing styles it allows the reader to get engaged with the story. Anthony Hill did an excellent job in researching for the Young Digger. I like the way Anthony Hill describes the highs and lows for women living in Australia during First World War.
Readers of Young Digger will start to realise the hardship children have during war time. Also, about military life during the First World War.
I recommend this book.
I enjoyed reading the Young Digger. However, Young Digger did make me cry and other times made me laugh. I like the Anthony Hill writing styles it allows the reader to get engaged with the story. Anthony Hill did an excellent job in researching for the Young Digger. I like the way Anthony Hill describes the highs and lows for women living in Australia during First World War.
Readers of Young Digger will start to realise the hardship children have during war time. Also, about military life during the First World War.
I recommend this book.
September 6, 2016
This is a book which I read with an uneasy mixture of interest and concern. Written with admiration and respect for his subjects, Anthony Hill has obviously thoroughly researched the story of this boy, Henri Heremene Tovell, to create a poignant, often amusing story of his short life. (Henri was killed in a motorcycle accident when he was only about 18). It鈥檚 quite amazing to read about how this orphan wandered into the life of 4 Squadron Australia Flying Corps at Cologne because he liked the Aussie food better than the British, became its mascot, and was smuggled on and off ships as the men returned to Australia after the war. But at the same time there鈥檚 a sense of unease, firstly because the values we have today would not countenance taking a child away from his own nationality and culture in such a cavalier way, and secondly because our sad awareness of sexual abuse raises alarm bells in any situation where a small boy is vulnerable amongst a company of men. There is an innocence about this tale that sweeps these concerns under the carpet, and the author鈥檚 admiration for the soldiers who found ways to subvert the rules to get the boy to Australia is in the tradition of the 鈥榙igger鈥� thumbing his nose at authority, though in this case it鈥檚 the French and British authorities because the Australian senior officers knew about it and turned a blind eye. Still, I couldn鈥檛 help feeling doubtful about the entire episode.
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October 23, 2018
A surprisingly easy read for a non-fiction. Nice story.
October 2, 2023
Henri (Honore) Hermene Tovell was orphaned around 7yo in France.His father, a soldier, was reportedly killed on the Western Front, and his mother died as a result of a German shell attack on their home. Henri attached himself to a number of allied military units during WWI. However, on Christmas Day 1918, he wandered into Bickendorf Air Base mess hall during lunch and was adopted by the Australian Flying Corps No. 4 Squadron. The squadron made Henri their 'mascot', and provided for him. He was given a uniform and made an acting corporal. He was known by the airmen as "Little Digger". His unofficial guardian, was air mechanic Timothy Tovell and they were attached.In 1919, Tim Tovell discovered that his own son, Timmy, had died from influenza in Australia, and he decided to 'adopt' Henri and take him back to Dalby.
Tim, with the assistance of his brother, smuggled Henri out of France to England in an oat sack and then from England to Australia.The smuggling required considerable foresight and help from both Australian officers and men. To land Henri in Australia required permits, and Queensland premier Tom Ryan, who was on the same troop ship, heard about the effort that the airmen and Tovell brothers had gone to get him on board the ship, and arranged landing papers for Henri.Henri settled in with the Tovell family.When he was around 16yo,Henri moved to Melbourne to work as a mechanic with the RAAF. He applied to join the air force,but was blocked by the French High Commissioner due to him being a French citizen.Henri continued to work as a mechanic until his untimely death in a motorcycle accident in Melbourne in 1928,which left Tim devastated.Timothy William TOVELL(28 April 1878-26 August 1966) was born in England and was apprenticed to a builder in 1898.He then became a cabinet maker and did much work for the London gentry.He was married in 1911 to Gertrude,and they then emigrated to Australia to help him recover from a 'bad chest'.The couple moved to Jandowae near Dalby in Queensland.In 1916, both Tim and his brother Ed enlisted in the Australian Flying Corps.He was survived by his wife Gertie and 3 children-Nancy,Edith and Edward.
Tim, with the assistance of his brother, smuggled Henri out of France to England in an oat sack and then from England to Australia.The smuggling required considerable foresight and help from both Australian officers and men. To land Henri in Australia required permits, and Queensland premier Tom Ryan, who was on the same troop ship, heard about the effort that the airmen and Tovell brothers had gone to get him on board the ship, and arranged landing papers for Henri.Henri settled in with the Tovell family.When he was around 16yo,Henri moved to Melbourne to work as a mechanic with the RAAF. He applied to join the air force,but was blocked by the French High Commissioner due to him being a French citizen.Henri continued to work as a mechanic until his untimely death in a motorcycle accident in Melbourne in 1928,which left Tim devastated.Timothy William TOVELL(28 April 1878-26 August 1966) was born in England and was apprenticed to a builder in 1898.He then became a cabinet maker and did much work for the London gentry.He was married in 1911 to Gertrude,and they then emigrated to Australia to help him recover from a 'bad chest'.The couple moved to Jandowae near Dalby in Queensland.In 1916, both Tim and his brother Ed enlisted in the Australian Flying Corps.He was survived by his wife Gertie and 3 children-Nancy,Edith and Edward.
April 13, 2021
This is a really good story, and it is the story that carries the book. It is not that well written in my opinion, but I concede it would be difficult to combine the fact with the fiction when writing a book like this, although some authors seem to do it better then others. The "conversation" between some of the characters is a little clunky and detracts from the book as well. I wasn't expecting the ending and felt sorry for all concerned. A good Australian war story though.
March 17, 2021
It was slow going, but finally finished reading this aloud to my oldest son.
What an amazing story of two men and their determination to make sure this young French boy had a chance at a life with a family.
What an amazing story of two men and their determination to make sure this young French boy had a chance at a life with a family.
November 9, 2016
Stories from World War 1 will always evoke a range of emotions for me and this one is no exception.
August 8, 2019
What a wonderful book. I loved what the Aussie soldiers did for Henri. Great Australian book. Would recommend this to everyone.
January 1, 2021
What an incredible account of suffering, loss, hardship, love and caring.
May 29, 2016
"Young Digger" is the extraordinary true story of Honore Hemene, later known as Henri Tovell, who is adopted by an airman with the Australian No. 4 Squadron and smuggled back to Australia.
The story begins when Henri, a young French war orphan, wanders into the mess room of No. 4 Squadron at Bickendorf, in Germany, on Christmas Day 1918. The war is finally over, and the airmen are celebrating with a huge Christmas dinner. The delicious smells draw Henri, and although at first he is chased away (as they believe he is a German orphan begging for scraps), they soon discover he is, in fact, French, and he manages to charm them and eventually shares the meal.
Henri (now affectionately known as "Digger") becomes the Squadron's mascot, and one airman in particular, Tim Tovell, takes him under his wing. Tim Tovell, who had emigrated to Australia from Britain in recent years, is a kind and generous man. A family man, with a wife and two children at home in Queensland, Tom is the logical person to take care of Henri. (Most of the other airmen in the Squadron were much younger.) Tim comes to think of Henri as a son, and Henri, having lost both parents during the war, looks upon Tim as his father.
As the time draws near for the Squadron to return home to Australia, the problem of what to do with Henri arises. In spite of their best efforts, Tim and his commanding officers can't find any trace of any family in France for Henri, and Henri himself only remembers bits and pieces of his life before the war. So a plan forms - rather than leave Henri in the care of a French orphanage with the thousands of other war orphans, Tim and his brother, Ted, decide that they will take Henri back with them to Australia.
So begins a daring plan to smuggle the French boy out of Germany to England, and from there to finally bring him home to Australia - to the small town of Jandowae in Queensland, where Tim's wife, Gertie, and their two children are waiting.
Fortunately for Tim and Ted, they have the full support of the Squadron and the commanding officers, particularly Major Ellis, who, although he knows what's going on, turns a "blind eye". Even the Queensland Premier of the time, Tom Ryan, plays a part in helping to get the boy safely to Jandowae.
This is a story of triumph and tragedy, love and hope, family and mateship - but above all it is the story of an incredible bond between one man and the boy he adopts as his own. It is uplifting and sad and incredibly moving, and the story will stay with me for a long, long time.
The story begins when Henri, a young French war orphan, wanders into the mess room of No. 4 Squadron at Bickendorf, in Germany, on Christmas Day 1918. The war is finally over, and the airmen are celebrating with a huge Christmas dinner. The delicious smells draw Henri, and although at first he is chased away (as they believe he is a German orphan begging for scraps), they soon discover he is, in fact, French, and he manages to charm them and eventually shares the meal.
Henri (now affectionately known as "Digger") becomes the Squadron's mascot, and one airman in particular, Tim Tovell, takes him under his wing. Tim Tovell, who had emigrated to Australia from Britain in recent years, is a kind and generous man. A family man, with a wife and two children at home in Queensland, Tom is the logical person to take care of Henri. (Most of the other airmen in the Squadron were much younger.) Tim comes to think of Henri as a son, and Henri, having lost both parents during the war, looks upon Tim as his father.
As the time draws near for the Squadron to return home to Australia, the problem of what to do with Henri arises. In spite of their best efforts, Tim and his commanding officers can't find any trace of any family in France for Henri, and Henri himself only remembers bits and pieces of his life before the war. So a plan forms - rather than leave Henri in the care of a French orphanage with the thousands of other war orphans, Tim and his brother, Ted, decide that they will take Henri back with them to Australia.
So begins a daring plan to smuggle the French boy out of Germany to England, and from there to finally bring him home to Australia - to the small town of Jandowae in Queensland, where Tim's wife, Gertie, and their two children are waiting.
Fortunately for Tim and Ted, they have the full support of the Squadron and the commanding officers, particularly Major Ellis, who, although he knows what's going on, turns a "blind eye". Even the Queensland Premier of the time, Tom Ryan, plays a part in helping to get the boy safely to Jandowae.
This is a story of triumph and tragedy, love and hope, family and mateship - but above all it is the story of an incredible bond between one man and the boy he adopts as his own. It is uplifting and sad and incredibly moving, and the story will stay with me for a long, long time.
January 1, 2020
I read this book first sometime last year, but I decided to do a reread of it with my younger siblings as part of their Australian history (we read Captain Cook's Apprentice by the same author last term and everyone loved it, so I was convinced they'd like this one too).
This is a great book, full of love and family, and giving a lot of interesting details about life immediately after World War 1. It's a topic that's rarely broached in historical fiction and is every bit as important, perhaps more so, as learning about the battles and events of 1914-1918.
I did question the ethics of smuggling a young child from France to Australia, but in the long run, Henri ended up with a family that loved him dearly and raised him as one of their own. And Henri's adoration of Tim and love of Gertie is undeniable.
I think Hill's writing style takes a little while to get used to. He writes using very short sentences, and occasionally I would have to backtrack to work out the context of the paragraphs, or would falter in my reading aloud because the word choice was a little awkward. But ultimately, it didn't retract from our enjoyment.
There were also a few parts I chose to censor out, just because my siblings range from 5-16, but it also didn't retract from our enjoyment, and it would definitely be fine for an audience consisting mostly of teens or mature preteens.
Overall, this book is moving (the ending made us all choke up a little). It's a powerful story of war, and the way war can tear down families, and the way love can rebuild them. I definitely recommend this book, for young people and adults alike.
This is a great book, full of love and family, and giving a lot of interesting details about life immediately after World War 1. It's a topic that's rarely broached in historical fiction and is every bit as important, perhaps more so, as learning about the battles and events of 1914-1918.
I did question the ethics of smuggling a young child from France to Australia, but in the long run, Henri ended up with a family that loved him dearly and raised him as one of their own. And Henri's adoration of Tim and love of Gertie is undeniable.
I think Hill's writing style takes a little while to get used to. He writes using very short sentences, and occasionally I would have to backtrack to work out the context of the paragraphs, or would falter in my reading aloud because the word choice was a little awkward. But ultimately, it didn't retract from our enjoyment.
There were also a few parts I chose to censor out, just because my siblings range from 5-16, but it also didn't retract from our enjoyment, and it would definitely be fine for an audience consisting mostly of teens or mature preteens.
Overall, this book is moving (the ending made us all choke up a little). It's a powerful story of war, and the way war can tear down families, and the way love can rebuild them. I definitely recommend this book, for young people and adults alike.
October 12, 2012
This book was very inspiring. It opened my eyes to the war in a young boy's point of view and also shows how important family can be. This also shows the effort that people took to do something the want, to rescue someone or something they care about and how strong love/affection can make a person
August 20, 2010
I just finished this book and found that it was a very touching story. It really opened my eyes to what war was like for an orphan.
September 24, 2011
Excellent.
June 7, 2011
An interesting story about a boy orphaned by the war & the man who took him in.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
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