Fighting for Country :
The Extraordinary Story Every Australian Should Read This Remembrance Day
The Revd Chris Thomason, Chaplain
Each year on 11 November, Australians gather in silence to remember those who served their nation in war, conflict, and peacekeeping operations. As our understanding of military service continues to broaden, so too does our appreciation of the diverse stories that have shaped Australia’s defence history.
This Remembrance Day, one book stands out as an essential and deeply moving contribution to that conversation: Fighting for Country: The Extraordinary Life of Reg Saunders by James Saunders.
More than a biography, Fighting for Country is a powerful story of courage, leadership, resilience, and justice. It brings to life the remarkable journey of Captain Reginald “Reg” Walter Saunders MBE, the first Aboriginal Australian commissioned as an officer in the Australian Army and one of the nation’s most distinguished First Nations servicemen.
Born in 1920 in Victoria, Reg Saunders inherited a proud tradition of military service. His father, Walter Saunders, served during the First World War, while his uncle, William Reginald Rawlings, earned the Military Medal before being killed in action in France in 1918. These family legacies helped shape a young man whose own military career would become legendary.
When World War II started, Reg enlisted and quickly found himself serving on some of the war’s most dangerous fronts. He fought in North Africa, Greece, and Crete, where he participated in the famous bayonet charge at 42nd Street alongside soldiers of the New Zealand 28th Māori Battalion. During the chaotic Allied withdrawal from Crete, Reg was left behind and spent eleven perilous months evading capture. Hidden and protected by courageous Cretan locals, he survived in the rugged mountains before making a daring escape by fishing trawler to North Africa.
His service did not end there. Returning to combat in New Guinea, Reg endured the devastating loss of his younger brother Harry, who was killed in action. Yet even amid personal tragedy, his leadership and determination shone through. In November 1944, he was commissioned as a Lieutenant, becoming one of the first Aboriginal person to achieve this.
Reg answered the call again during the Korean War. Re-enlisting, he rose to the rank of Captain and commanded C Company of the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. During the pivotal Battle of Kapyong in April 1951, Reg and his men held their positions against overwhelming enemy forces in a battle that would become one of Australia’s most celebrated military actions. The battalion’s performance earned a United States Presidential Unit Citation, cementing its place in military history.
Yet Fighting for Country reveals that some of Reg’s most difficult battles occurred after he returned home.
Like many First Nations veterans, Reg came back to an Australia still shaped by discrimination and exclusion. Despite risking his life for his country, he was denied opportunities offered to other returned servicemen, including access to soldier-settlement land schemes, educational support and entry into Returned Services League Clubs.
To provide for his family, he worked a series of civilian jobs as a tram conductor, foundry worker, and tally clerk.
Rather than allowing injustice to define him, Reg became a respected advocate for Aboriginal Australians and a leader within public life. In 1969, he joined the federal Office of Aboriginal Affairs as a Senior Liaison Officer. His commitment to community service was recognised with the award of an MBE in 1971, and he later served on the Council of the Australian War Memorial, helping ensure that the stories of all who served were remembered.
What makes Fighting for Country particularly compelling is its deeply personal perspective. Author James Saunders is not simply recounting historical events; he is telling the story of his uncle and his family. Drawing on personal correspondence, rare recordings, military archives, and reflections from Reg’s daughters, he creates an intimate portrait that goes far beyond military history.
The result is a rich and engaging narrative that connects Reg’s battlefield achievements with his Gunditjmara heritage, honouring generations of family, culture, and service. It is a story that speaks not only of one extraordinary man but also of the enduring strength of First Nations peoples and their contribution to Australia’s national story.
Fighting for Country offers both inspiration and reflection. It challenges readers to consider the sacrifices made by First Nations servicemen and women, while celebrating a life marked by exceptional courage, dignity, and leadership.
As we reflect on Reg Saunders’ legacy this Remembrance Day, his story embodies many of the values that guide Anglicare WA’s work today. He demonstrated courage in the face of adversity, recognised strengths where others saw limitations and worked tirelessly to break down barriers affecting First Nations peoples. His journey reminds us that building a just and fair Western Australia requires more than remembering the sacrifices of the past; it calls us to create communities that are inclusive, compassionate and committed to enabling every person to thrive. In this way, Reg’s life remains both an inspiration and a challenge for all who seek positive outcomes alongside those facing disadvantage.