Fightingfor Country
The extraordinary life of
Reg Saunders
Australia’s first Indigenous commissioned officer. Hero of two wars. A story of service, family, Country and legacy.
An extraordinaryAustralian life.
The story of Australia’s first Indigenous commissioned officer, a true leader who served with daring and distinction in World War II and Korea, as told by his nephew James Saunders.
April 1940: Reginald Saunders, a 19-year-old Gunditjmara man, walks into the enlistment office in Milltown, Victoria, following in the footsteps of his father 24 years earlier.
It’s the beginning of an extraordinary journey of service and adventure for Reg – a journey that will take him across three continents and two wars. He will be decorated, discriminated against, wounded, bereaved, forsaken – but ultimately victorious.
Two wars.Three continents.One extraordinary life.
Across three continents.
North Africa · Greece · New Guinea
Captain Reg Saunders served with distinction across North Africa, Greece and New Guinea during World War II.
Eleven monthson the run.
After the fall of Crete, Reg survived for eleven months while evading the Nazis before eventually escaping the island.
Back into service.
Reg later returned to active service during the Korean War, commanding Australian soldiers and continuing a military career already regarded as exceptional.
A pivotal battle.
At the Battle of Kapyong, Reg led a company of soldiers against a massive Chinese force in one of the defining battles of the Korean War.
A first in Australian history.
Reg Saunders became Australia’s first Indigenous commissioned officer.
His achievements took place within a country where Indigenous Australians continued to face discrimination and profound inequality.
More than war
The story didn’tend with the war.
Fighting for Country is more than the story of Reg’s military career: it is also the story of his family and his people, the Fighting Gunditjmara of Western Victoria, and of Reg’s postwar life of struggle and service.
A son, father, family member and community leader.
Behind the military legend was a son, father, family member and community leader whose life continued to be shaped by family, Country and service.
A family story,reconstructed.
James Saunders, Reg’s nephew, has drawn on military archives and family records to bring this incredible story vividly to life.
Family record
Military archive
Later life
Praise for the book
“As a life-long soldier, I can assert the vibrancy and value of legends — battles, places and always, people. Reg Saunders was such a legend — courageous, inspirational and much admired by all who served alongside or under him. By the way, he was an extraordinary Australian, a true emblem for the future. Thank you, James Saunders!”
The author
James Saunders
James Saunders is a Gunditjmara Wiradjuri and Wongaibon man from the Saunders and Parker family lines. He is the nephew of Captain Reginald Saunders, whose life and service sit at the heart of Fighting for Country.
Fightingfor Country
The extraordinary life of Reg Saunders, Australia’s first Indigenous military officer, hero of two wars.