Ben and his Mates: The War diaries, letters and photographs of Lieutenant Ben Champion 1st AIF, 1915-1920 : Echo Books : 9780648308270 : 0648308278 : 07 Jul 2018 : Ben Champion was raised in Wahroonga in New South Wales. When the news of the Anzac landing at Galipoli in 1915 came through to Sydney with the huge A.I.F. casualty list which soon followed, Ben Champion's Father reluctantly gave his permission for 18 year old Ben to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). He joined the 7th Reinforcements of the 1st Battalion AIF and embarked for Gallipoli. Ben began his letters and diaries as soon as he enlisted, writing of so many of his mates throughout the years 1915 - 1920 as he served at Gallipoli and in France, and rose through the ranks to become a Lieutenant. He had photos of many who did not return. He loved history and appreciated what he saw around him. Ben writes of the seasons, flowers, crops and trees. He writes of the songs they were singing and the books he was read