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9th Battalion
The Royal Australian Regiment
“Proud to Serve”
Orders can now be placed for a copy of the 9RAR second book.
The book will be delivered to the Reunion in Perth in November
or can be posted for those not attending. The book is a soft
cover, perfect bound book of approximately 220 pages. It contains
chapters on the history of the Battalion after its return from SVN,
reinforcements, ‘Then and Now’, the emergence of state branches,
reunions, the ‘Welcome Home’ Parade and anecdotes.
Sale price is $35 per copy. Postage and handling is $10
.
Orders can be placed online to Brian Vickery: bvi29049@bigpond.net.au
or by post to Brian Vickery: Post Office Box 1594 Kingscliff NSW 2487
Cheques can be forwarded to the above address
and should be made payable to: B.J. Vickery Book Account
Book Review
‘In This
Man’s Army’
By Stan
Sutherland
Reviewed
By Brian Vickery
This book demonstrates a remarkable memory by Stan
Sutherland of his time in South Vietnam, as a soldier, during two
tours of duty. Initially, the style of telling the story, in a mixture
of present and past tense is disconcerting but once the reader adjusts
to it, it allows you to visualise the experience through the eyes of
the author. Stan maturely recorded many details of his experiences and
this enabled him to accurately produce an almost daily account of his
time in an operational theatre.
The book provides a realistic vista of the daily
experiences of an infantry soldier at war – the highs, the lows, the
friendships, the fears, the laughs, the bonds, the Australian
character, the need for leadership and an insight into the young NCO’s
and officers who led these Australian troops. Stan was promoted
quickly to Corporal and later served as an acting Sergeant and served
his leaders well. He was mature in his leadership roles and appears to
have a good understanding of the human psyche. He receives high praise
indeed, from one of his Platoon Commanders, Lieutenant Peter Cosgrove.
It is interesting to note that Stan only remained in
the Australian Army for the duration of these two tours and then
returned to civilian life where he somehow successfully adjusted back
to being a bank employee and later a District Commercial Manager where
he remained for 26 years.
The book is a good account of a difficult time; it is
absorbing, explanatory and easy to read |
