The Digger of Kokoda cover art

The Digger of Kokoda

The Official Biography of Reg Chard

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The Digger of Kokoda

By: Daniel Lane
Narrated by: James Saunders
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About this listen

Featuring a special message read by Reg Chard

The battle that saved Australia. The track that saved one man's life.

Reg Chard endured hell as an 18-year-old Australian soldier who fought in 1942 on the infamous Kokoda Trail in World War II.

Ironically, Kokoda rescued Reg decades later when he decided to take his own life. After losing Betty, his wife of 66 years, the grief-stricken great-grandfather lost the will to live. But he found new purpose through educating young people, giving guided tours of Sydney's Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway.

On these tours, Reg relives Kokoda every day. He sees an image on the wall of a soldier - a comrade - who succumbed to disease weeks after the photograph was taken. He feels his heart beating as his patrol chases down Japanese troops who had mutilated women in a jungle clearing. He hears the war cry of a samurai sword-wielding officer charging towards him. And he tells these stories along the walkway, preserving the memory of those who never came home.

As one of the last surviving diggers of Kokoda, Reg Chard has become a custodian of its legacy. This deeply moving, healing and inspiring biography of the 98-year-old veteran tells us of Reg's war in the jungle and how, 80 years after the battle that saved Australia, Kokoda still lives within him.

©2022 Daniel Lane (P)2022 Macmillan Australia Audio
Historical Military Military & War World War II Veteran War Heartfelt Inspiring Imperial Japan Biography Solider

Critic Reviews

"Reading the story of Reg Chard and his fellow servicemen only reinforces how grateful we all should be to the soldiers who sacrificed everything in order for us to have the privileged life we often take for granted. These men were full of bravery, courage and conviction yet were regularly battling against the odds in the knowledge they may not see out the day. Every word of this story has meaning, importance and impact and I for one am indebted to those who have served our nation to make it what it is today."—Steve Waugh

"The Digger of Kokoda is a gripping read about an all-Australian hero, Reg Chard, who like so many of that WWII generation had greatness in him, only revealed when he was called on to put everything on the line for his country. This biography evocatively portrays the hardships of the Kokoda campaign, the sacrifices made, and the irrepressible spirit of the Australian soldiers and nursing sisters. Bravo the lot of them, and this book."—Peter Fitzsimons

"The lessons and life experiences of Reg Chard are ones all Australians today could learn a lot from. The Digger of Kokoda was very honest and gave me a new perspective and understanding of what they went through and why. Warm, moving, heartbreaking and inspiring in equal measure. The greatest lesson I take from Reg is his quote: "Make the most of life, because no matter how bad something may seem, life goes on—just make sure you go with it.'"—Emma McKeon

All stars
Most relevant  
Well written and narrated. I could not stop listening. A true story of courage and sacrifice and the futility of war

Excellent

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My uncle pat went thru Kokoda. I never took the time to really listen to him as the stories sounded unbelievable.., I now understand him

Very believable

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What an honestly told, inspirational, engaging book!
I couldn’t stop listening.
It was beautifully written and well executed.
I hope this is or becomes a book for all Secondary School Students to read, but worth reading at any age beyond also.
Highly recommend

An Engaging, Interesting & Educational Read

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Most excellent experience. I felt if that I was there through the whole journey we should never forget what these men and women done to save Australia and our way of life

The raw truth

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Thank you Reg for giving me this personal insight into your struggles and the struggles of the brave men who served with you. It must have been very difficult for you to relive. We owe you men a lot for your sacrifices

Wonderful biography

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The best book I’ve read about the war
They are the greatest generation to have ever lived
Reg’s story kept me enthralled the whole way through with a lump in my throat about the way he idolised his wife and the nurses who cared for him
A great Australian we should all be proud of
Thanks for your service Reg

WOW!!!!

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The BEST book I have ever listened to. Thank you Daniel Lane for having the courage to get this story out there. And James Saunders for narrating. Highly recommended.

Brilliant.

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Thank you Reginal Chard for your raw honesty & vulnerability in putting it all out there. Words cannot describe the profound impact it had on me; so many mixed emotions throughout, I learnt so much, truly inspiring.

Wow! What an incredible story…

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What a true gentleman. Every Australian should try to read this book. Gives you a good insight into the years before the war as well as during. Thanks for this great audio experience.

FANTASTIC

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How brave to document this. This is a new low in atrocities. Everyone owes all these diggers the utmost respect and also to their families who also survived the veterans after they returned. We are free of what could of been. Thanks for bringing these first hand accounts to light.

Beyond belief. I walked the Kokoda Trail two weeks ago, but wow. This brought tears to my eyes.

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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.