FIGHTINGfor COUNTRY

Name: Fighting for Country
Author: James Saunders

The extraordinary life of Reg Saunders, Australia’s first Indigenous commissioned officer and hero of two wars.

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Fighting for Country by James Saunders — hardcover edition

A new book by James Saunders

Available now

Published by Allen & Unwin,

September 2026

A soldier.
A pioneer.
A warrior.

The story of Captain Reginald Saunders MBE, 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.

Reg Saunders’ story reaches far beyond the battlefield. It is a story of leadership, resilience, family and Country, and of a man who broke barriers while serving a nation that did not always treat him as an equal.

Reg Saunders photographed in service uniform.

Captain Reginald Saunders MBE

Gunditjmara. Soldier of North Africa, Greece, Crete, New Guinea and Korea. Father, advocate, and one of the great Australian lives of the twentieth century.

His life was marked not only by extraordinary military leadership, but also by discrimination, family, service and a lifelong commitment to his people.

Praise for Fighting for Country

“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!”

Peter Cosgrove

1940

April 1940

At just 19 years old, Reg Saunders walked into the enlistment office in Milltown, Victoria, following in the footsteps of his father 24 years earlier.

It was the beginning of an extraordinary journey of service and adventure that would take him across three continents and two wars.

Painted portrait of an officer in service dress.

1940

Enlistment

Milltown, Victoria

At 19, Reg Saunders followed in his father's footsteps and enlisted for service. It marked the beginning of an extraordinary military career that would span two wars and three continents.

1940—45

World War II

North Africa · Greece · Crete · New Guinea

Reg served across some of the most demanding theatres of the Second World War. After the fall of Crete, he survived for eleven months while evading German forces before eventually escaping the island.

Troops assembled beside a troop train before embarkation.

1950—52

Korea

Leadership · Kapyong

Reg returned to active service during the Korean War. As a company commander, he led Australian soldiers during the pivotal Battle of Kapyong and further cemented his reputation as an exceptional military leader.

An officer inspected on parade during the Korean War era.

After

Beyond the battlefield

Family · Country · Service · Advocacy

Reg's story continued long after military service. His later life was shaped by family, public service and advocacy, and by his enduring connection to the Gunditjmara people and Country.

Later-life portrait wearing service medals.

Explore Reg’s story

Formal portrait of Reg Saunders and his wife.

Family photograph of children in a backyard.

More than
a military story.

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.

It follows Reg beyond war, through personal loss, discrimination, family, service and advocacy, revealing the man behind the military legend and the legacy he left for generations that followed.

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A life, in photographs.

Family photographs, military records and personal archives trace a life across generations.

Sepia group photograph from the family albums.

Three men photographed together, early sepia print.

Press clipping: "Aboriginal officer in Korean patrol action".

Black and white studio portrait, later years.

Two soldiers in slouch hats, wartime service portrait.

An officer inspected on parade, Korea era.

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The author

James Saunders

James Saunders is a Gunditjmara Wiradjuri and Wongaibon man from the Saunders and Parker family lines, and the nephew of Captain Reginald Saunders. His writing reflects a new generation of Indigenous storytelling grounded in family truth, cultural responsibility and a commitment to telling history as it was lived.

As Reg’s nephew, James tells this history from within the family whose story it shaped. Fighting for Country is his first book.

Read about James