Christ is Risen. Alleluia.
He is Risen Indeed. Alleluia.
The Revd Chris Thomason, Chaplain
By the time you read this we will be deep into Eastertide, with Holy Week somewhere in our rearview mirror.
As I was reflecting on the meaning of Easter, and I found myself reading Paul’s letter to the Hebrews ‘Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins’ it led me to reflect on those making sacrifices for others. And given the proximity of Anzac Day to Easter how could I not think of those who have served their country and, in some cases, paid the ultimate price. Which led me to a story I’d like to share.
‘On the day before Anzac Day 1940, a young Victorian and Gunditjmara man joined his mates on a troop train to Melbourne. They were leaving their country town to join the war against Germany. Reginald ‘Reg’ Saunders would become Australia’s highest-profile Aboriginal soldier. He would also be one of the first Indigenous commissioned officers in the Australian Army.’
Reg was a young man with a proud heritage of service, with his uncles and father having served in the first world war. He joined the army with his non-Aboriginal mates from the local footy club and was soon recognised as having excellent soldiering skills and being a gifted leader.
Reg saw service in North Africa, Greece and Crete. He was one of three thousand Australian troops left on Crete to survive behind enemy lines and managed to avoid capture and escape after almost a year. He then rejoined his resurrected battalion in New Guinea.
Reg went on to become one of the first known Aboriginal officers in the Australian Defence Force and after being commissioned as a lieutenant returned to command a platoon in his battalion for the rest of the war.
Reg’s ability and natural leadership skills earned him the respect and admiration of everyone with whom he served. His platoon was involved in some fierce fighting and Reg was nominated for bravery awards, but he declined them.
After the war Reg returned home where he experienced both individual and systemic racial abuse. He was not given the same rights and privileges as those who had served with him. While Reg was a brave, loyal and trusted leader of Australian soldiers he wasn’t recognised or acknowledged as a person in his own country.
A few years later Australia entered the Korean War and Reg signed up. As a Captain he led a company which was involved in the battle of Kapyoung. Reg’s battalion was awarded the United States Distinguished Unit Citation for bravery in that battle.
Reg left the army in 1954 and became a spokesperson for the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples. He was awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for service to his community.
At this time of the year, the story of Reginald Walter Saunders MBE is a poignant one to remember. His servant leadership while experiencing great adversity, both at home and in war, amongst those in need and those on the margins, reflects the servant leadership of the one who came ‘not to be served but to serve, and give His life as a ransom for many’.