Dasher cover art

Dasher

The Kevin Wheatley VC Story

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Dasher

By: Michael C. Madden
Narrated by: Steve Devereaux
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About this listen

Kevin ‘Dasher’ Wheatley, VC, is one of the most extraordinary characters in Australian history. Dasher was a husband, father, champion footballer and one of the finest soldiers this country has ever produced. The story of his sacrifice is used by the ADF as a perfect example of valour and mateship to this day. Although he is one of the most famous Victoria Cross recipients of all time, his story has never been fully told. Until now.

Dasher: The Kevin Wheatley VC Story was written with firsthand accounts from Dasher’s family and the men who served and fought alongside him. It tells not only the story of an unlikely lad from the mean streets of Sydney, but that of a soldier whose death devastated the ranks of three armies and changed the way Australia dealt with the overseas loss of service people forever.

Everyone who met the man has a Dasher Wheatley story of larrikin behaviour, outstanding soldiering, stunning valour, or all three.

Forwarded by Keith Payne, this book also investigates other gallantry awards Wheatley qualified for but was never given.

©2021 Michael C. Madden (P)2012 W. F. Howes Ltd Military Military & War Vietnam War World Solider War

Critic Reviews

"The Dasher Wheatley story is one that all Australians should know and be proud of." (His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley, AC, DSC [retd general], governor-general of Australia)

"I never met Dasher Wheatley VC, but I would have liked to share a beet with a man whose decision to stay with a dying mate cost him his life. His compelling courage, that choice, characterise the values that make Australia." (Kerry Stokes, AC, chairman, Australian War Memorial)
All stars
Most relevant  
Steve's voice is stunning. His performance is amongst the best I've heard. Thank you for breathing life into Dasher.

The narrator is brilliant.

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Loved every bit of it, the narrator sounds so authentic and felt like you were right there with this Aussie legend

A must read

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Why this Australian hero’s exploits hasn’t been made into a film is beyond belief.
Typifies the Australian character and traits.

Excellent

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This book should be compulsory reading for every senior high school student in Australia. The bravery, resilience and courage of Australian soldiers in the Vietnam War has never been fully acknowledged in our country and it deserves to be. Blokes like Dasher were so positive and selfless.The world would be a better place if we could all aspire to show even a shred of their character traits. The treatment by the Australian government in the sixties towards soldiers who lost their lives in combat and their families at home was absolutely appalling. This was something I had not known about before listening to this book

What a legend of man

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I highly recommend Dasher! I think every Australian should know his story. Great reading.

A remarkable book about a Truly remarkable Austral

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What an incredible story about this man's life, it was a shame that this warrior was not honoured with all that was meant for him. In the aftermath his family was forgotten by the government of Australia, disgusting. You have to wonder what these pencil pushers are thinking, they would wet them self on a merry-go-round. This man sacrificed his life for friends and for what he was sent to do.

Less we forget

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With out doubt after 53 books, this is the best I have listened to from the narration to the story. Respect Kevin Dasher Wheatley VC and Great Australian .❤️🇦🇺

Kevin Dasher Wheatley. VC

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This is an incredible story of a young man that was as humble as he was brave. The story is well read and interesting from start to finish.

Incredible

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Incredible account of a great Australian sadly let down by writing that feeling like it’s from a 1940s movietone newsreel and read by someone who sounds like a mix of a preschool teacher and a bad eighties nature documentary host. I couldn’t finish it

The good and the bad

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.