Fighting for Country: The Extraordinary Life of Reg Saunders. Australia's First Indigenous Military Officer, Hero of Two Wars by James Saunders is a compelling biographical account of Captain Reginald Walter Saunders MBE, a Gunditjmara man who shattered racial barriers to become the first Aboriginal commissioned officer in the Australian Army.

Written by his nephew, the book draws deeply on military archives and intimate family records to provide a definitive account of a legendary Australian hero.

The biography begins in April 1940, when 19-year-old Reg Saunders enlists in the military, following the patriotic footsteps of his father and uncle from World War I. His entry into the armed forces marks the start of a perilous journey spanning two major wars and three continents. The narrative details his extraordinary combat exploits during World War II, where he fights in North Africa, Greece, and New Guinea. Among his most harrowing survival stories is enduring 11 months on the run from Nazi forces in Crete, hidden and protected by local villagers. Saunders' natural leadership and tactical brilliance on the battlefield eventually earn him a recommendation for officer training, culminating in his historic commission as a Lieutenant in late 1944.

The book further follows his service into the Korean War, highlighting his leadership of a company during the pivotal Battle of Kapyong against overwhelming Chinese forces. Beyond his battlefield achievements, Fighting for Country provides crucial cultural and social context:

Cultural Heritage: The book explores the history of his people, the Fighting Gunditjmara of Western Victoria.

Systemic Prejudice: It documents the stark contrast between the equality he experienced in uniform and the shocking discrimination he faced back home in a segregated civilian society.

Post-War Advocacy: It captures his resilient post-war life, focusing on his enduring legacy as a dedicated campaigner for Indigenous rights and equality at the Department of Aboriginal Affairs