The Paladin, with its emphasis on Sir John Gellibrand's experiences of the Great War, is an important contribution to Australian military history. As well as being one of the outstanding leaders of the 1st AIF, Gellibrand was also one of its most interesting personalities.

     Born into the Tasmanian establishment, but raised and educated in England and Germany, Gellibrand discovered the Paladins as a child and lived his life in service to others, according to the philosophies of those medieval knights errant. Because of his British Army service, Gellibrand was better trained and more experienced than most of his Australian colleagues.

      As a staff officer in Australia, in Egypt, and at Gallipoli, Gellibrand helped to raise, train, and administer this new force, then won renown as a brigade and divisional commander in France.