The Digger of Kokoda: The Official Biography of Reg Chard

by Daniel Lane

"Reg Chard endured hell as an 18-year-old Australian soldier who fought in 1942 on the infamous Kokoda Trail. 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 Memorial Walkway. On these tours, Reg relives Kokoda every day. He sees an image on the wall of a soldier - a comrade - who died of a jungle 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 on the walkway tours, 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. "

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

333 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2022

Reviews

[Rowan MacDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

“You have seen things at this place that no man should witness. Some of these things you must forget. But history will remember you, and in the years to come others will wish that they had your conviction.” - Lt Col Ralph Honner

In sharing his story, Reg allowed me to learn of the horrors my own grandfather was unable to speak about. For that I’m grateful. The Digger of Kokoda will stay with me, just as the spirit of those who fought for Australia will live on and stay an integral part of our nation’s identity.

Daniel Lane has brilliantly captured the voice of Reg Chard (one of our last remaining WWII Kokoda veterans). It feels like sitting down with Reg as he shares his life story. It’s down to earth and the first-person narrative is effective – I’d never read a Kokoda account from this perspective before.

Lane manages to recreate the dialogue of Reg and his mates too, which highlights the Aussie camaraderie and sense of humour that makes our nation unique. I didn’t expect to laugh so much – if I suddenly discover food missing from my pantry, I’ll assume Reg ‘Scrounger’ Chard isn’t too far away!

At the heart of the book is Reg’s love story with his beloved Betty (his relationship with his Mum is touching too). Whenever things got emotional, it was usually centered around their remarkable life together.

“I was going to marry that girl; my first task was the minor matter of finding out who she was.”

I was somewhat surprised that Kokoda itself didn't appear until around page 200. The Digger of Kokoda is a biography in the truest sense, in that it covers Reg Chard’s entire life. The book doubles as a history lesson on aspects of Australian life during the era. I better appreciate why so many young men jumped at the chance to enlist, after living through the Great Depression.

“It’s impossible to explain to people who didn’t live through that era how tough a time it was. I had no shoes, so I walked barefoot everywhere I went.”

Australia's woeful unpreparedness made for eye-opening reading.

“When the Japanese bombed the US Pacific Fleet anchored at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, Australia was a nation on its knees. We were so bloody helpless it was pathetic.”

It wasn’t just the lack of defence and supplies (broomsticks used for rifle training) but Australia’s literal assistance in Japan’s war machine – Reg has an especially infuriating encounter with a certain piece of shrapnel after a bombing raid.

Reg’s firsthand descriptions of battles were effectively portrayed by Daniel Lane. I found myself holding my breath while reading. I could physically feel what it must have been like for men such as Reg in the frontlines. The parallels between Reg’s experiences and those of my grandfather were plenty – it’s easy to understand why both were plagued by nightmares for the rest of their lives.

“That anticipation that the Japanese were about to explode from out of the shadows of the jungle’s canopy without any notice was terrifying.”

One of the toughest things I’ve read was the depiction of a massacre site and other Japanese war crimes. The conditions, terrain and tropical diseases were just as harrowing, and drove home how heroic and courageous these young diggers were. Australia’s failure to properly recognise efforts of the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels, who saved so many, is laid bare too.

“They really were the closest beings to guardian angels in human form.”

The level of detail in which Reg recalls the events of his 98 years of life is impressive. The photographs were effective in showcasing both the war and Reg’s life too.

The closing pages are an inspiring example on how to push forward when life feels too much; something I’ll remember and apply to my own life. Daniel Lane has told an important Australian story; one that while uniquely ‘Reg’ also represents many others no longer here to tell theirs.

Thank you for your sacrifices and service, Reg, and to all those who bravely fought alongside you, including TX8677.

“Make the most of life, because no matter how bad something may seem, life goes on - just make sure you go with it.”

Thanks to Pan Macmillan Australia for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Digger of Kokoda by Daniel Lane

Synopsis /

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.

My Thoughts /

It’s somewhat bittersweet that I’m writing this review on the 11th day of the 11th month.

There are no good places to fight a war. [Now keep this on repeat.]

Author, Daniel Lane has been a sports journalist for over 30 years, including time with Australian Consolidated Press, AAP, Network 10 and the Sydney Morning Herald. He has written 18 books, and scripts for three televised documentaries/shows. He has visited the battlefields of Gallipoli, the Western Front, El Alamein, Singapore and Malaya, and for decades has interviewed veterans of the Boer War and both world wars, including Kokoda. The Digger of Kokoda: The Official Biography of Reg Chard, is his first military memoir.

There are many reasons why I read. I’m an introvert – other than family gatherings, most social situations fill me with anxiety. I think that’s why I like libraries, they’re a calming environment. People browsing quietly for books, others sitting at a table bent over studiously studying a book or paper. Walls of books, shelf upon shelf of spines, each one holding within itself, what could potential be for you a prize, or a complete bust – it’s a lot like a lucky dip. Reading expands not only our word vocabulary, but often, it’s how we learn new things, and it’s a safe environment in which to do so. Books teach us many things. I’m a fan of pretty much anything in the historical-fiction genre. I usually don’t leave it too long between books before I’m picking up another HF. But while historical fiction is entertaining, it’s still ‘fiction’, and a lot of the books I’ve read gloss over the heavy stuff and instead focus on a twee romance or dalliance.

This book is different. In The Digger of Kokoda, Daniel Lane has written a deeply moving and inspiring biography of 98-year-old veteran, Reg Chard. One of the things that stuck with me after I finished reading this, is that it’s a ‘no holds barred’ memoir. Every word of this story has meaning, importance and impact. We learn about Reg's experiences with war in the jungle and how, 80 years after the battle that saved Australia, Kokoda still lives within him.

Dad’s soldiering days officially ended on 29 July 1918 when he received his discharge papers in Sydney. The war was over for him, but it was only the beginning of a long and weary battle for mum. I’m afraid whatever joy she may have felt to have the man she loved return safely after 19 months away was cruelled the first time my father showed how the war had changed him.

No series of battles were more critical nor more horrendous than those of the New Guinea campaign - Milne Bay — Eora Creek — Templeton’s Crossing — Gona — Buna and Sanananda.

You have seen things at this place that no man should witness. Some of these things you must forget. But history will remember you, and in the years to come others will wish that they had your conviction…
— Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Honner’s address to the 39th Australian Infantry Battalion after fighting on the Kokoda Trail

We could not believe that we were expected to attack in such appalling conditions. I never prayed so hard in my life. I got down on my knees in the mud and prayed to God to bring me through.
— Private Pat Burns, 46th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Passchendaele, November 1917

For some younger generations, in today’s world an internet outage is deemed a catastrophic event. My memory goes beyond the creation of the world wide web. Beginning with coming out the other side of the great depression and into the early 60s – which was dominated by political upheavals, the Vietnam War and Civil Rights Protests. Maybe this is why Reg’s story resonates with me so strongly. Daniel Lane’s written account of Reg Chard’s story offers a deeper understanding of what it means to be an Australian and is an inspiration for us to be a better person. Reading the story of Reg Chard and his fellow servicemen only reinforces how grateful I am to the soldiers who served and sacrificed, in order for us to have the privileged life we often take for granted.

Do not regret getting old, because it is a privilege denied to many.

The thoughts and views I have expressed here are purely my own and may differ from the experience others have had reading this book. Each and every individual has their own unique outlook on life and life’s experiences. It’s not for me to judge you if your views differ from mine; but to respect your rights to have those differing views.

[David Cameron · Rating 1 out of 5]

This one-star rating in no way should be seen as reflecting on Mr Chard and his war and peacetime contribution to Australia – this rating alone reflects on the publication standards – or lack thereof – by the author and publisher. There are so many easily refutable errors in this book, which are not the fault of Mr Chard, but the author and publisher who should have ensured these errors in memory from a 98-year-old war veteran were corrected before this book was published. The most disturbing is the allegation of the war crime against 25 'European' women. Its inclusion alone in this book means it cannot be given more than a one-star rating for publishing such a significant war crime as fact without conducting even a basic fact check - any reasonable assessment must conclude this 'massacre' never happened.

If the massacre chapter had not been included in this book by Mr Lane this review would never have been written. Given the historical significance of this allegation, backed by Mr Lane and Pan MacMillan, this cannot be allowed to stand untested. This incident as described is in my opinion a false memory from a 98-year-old battle scared and traumatised digger likely associated with his wartime service to Australia, and later readings that have become part of his wartime experience (if it was relayed as written by the author). This chapter should have been removed.

The other errors below are to merely highlight how even a very basic fact check before publication has not been done. There is no way they should have relied solely on the memory of a 98-year-old digger, who not surprisingly is having troubles recalling accurately events of 80 years ago, and 80 years on is still possibly suffering PTSD from his wartime experiences. As such, Mr Chard cannot be held accountable for the inaccuracies in this book, which would have been identified and corrected with even a very basic fact check before publication.

Mr Lane writes that General Allen makes an appearance within hours of General MacArthur’s visit to Owers’ Corner, described as a: ‘bloke dressed in Bombay bloomers that were pulled up, boots without any socks, a ragged shirt unbuttoned to reveal his bulging belly, and a battered slouch hat …. My name is Tubby …. You can address me as General Allen ’. General Arthur ‘Tubby’ Allen was with generals MacArthur and Blamey on 3 October 1942 visiting Owers’ Corner (only day that MacArthur ever visited Owers’ Corner, thus we know the date). General Allen certainly would not have dressed as described while with MacArthur and Blamey. Indeed, he never dressed as such when a week later he was on the track in the heart of the Owen Stanleys, let alone while travelling with generals MacArthur and Blamey! Existing photographs on these three generals meeting at Owers' Corner on 3 October 1942 confirm this strict dress code.

Mr Lane also writes that General Allen that day – 3 October – collected Mr Chard and a handful of others from the militia 55th Battalion and with them moved forward to the front line to reinforce the 2/33rd Battalion. However, the three 2nd AIF battalions of the 16th brigade, the 2/1st, 2/2nd, and the 2/3rd battalions had landed in Port Morseby on 23/24 September, and that day – 3 October – this brigade began its advance north along the Kokoda Track. Indeed, MacArthur, Blamey, and Allen were there to see the first of these men advance along the track. There was no shortage of troops, and no senior officer, especially General Allen would be waiting at Ower’s Corner (especially dressed as described) to push half-a-dozen militiamen up the line, they now had more troops than they could possibly feed and supply on the track.

Major General Allen was based at Port Moresby and not hanging around Ower’s Corner to take a handful of militiamen of the 55th Battalion forward to the 2/33rd Battalion. Also by then the Japanese were in full retreated a weeks march north, with the 2/33rd leading the Australian advance, with over 2,000 troops of the Australian 16th Brigade on 3 October passing through Owers' Corner to start their march along the track to catch up with the men of the 25th Brigade who were rapidly chasing the Japanese north (the 2/33rd Battalion was by then close to Efogi, halfway along the track).

Mr Lane writes that weeks later Mr Chard was transported back down the Kokoda Track on a stretcher with malaria, having made his way to Eora Creek (battle of Eora Creek was from 20 to 28 October). As such we can date this to late October. If Mr Lane bothered to check Mr Chard’s detailed medical history in his service record, he would see that Mr Chard was not admitted to hospital with Malaria until 19 December 1942. Even so, Mr Lane then records that Mr Chard, after a week on the track back to Moresby spent two weeks in hospital and another week walking back up the track to the 2/33 Battalion – thus he could not make it back to Kokoda until around 20 November (a soldier with the 55th Battalion after leaving hospital at Port Moresby would have rejoined his unit just a few kilometres from the hospital to obtain orders from his superiors, he would not then march back along the track to rejoin the 2/33rd Battalion). However, Mr Lane also has Mr Chard at Kokoda in early November stating he was in the area during the flag raising ceremony – 3 November and within days was fighting at Gorari. Clearly it would have been physically impossible for Mr Chard to be on the track being carried back south to Port Morseby from Eora Creek in late October and be at Kokoda and Gorari on the northern coastal plains of Papua in early November.

Mr Lane also has Mr Chard collapsing at Sanananda the day after its capture 22 January 1943, however, as shown above, Mr Chard was hospitalised with malaria on 19 December and according to his service record was evacuated from Moresby onboard the 'SS Katoomba' back to Australia on 5 January 1943.

Mr Lane also writes that Mr Chard was filmed by Damien Parer on the Kokoda Track, and that he appeared in his academy award winning film ‘Kokoda Front Line’. This clearly never happened, as Mr Lane has Mr Chard entering the Owen Stanley’s on 3 October 1942, by then Damian Parer was back in Sydney having already completed and screened his film ‘Kokoda Front Line’ which premiered in Sydney on 22 September 1942.

The most grievous and explosive chapter is entitled ‘The Massacre.’ Mr Lane and Pan MacMillan should have deleted this chapter from their book. As discussed above, this is almost certainly a false memory from a war scared digger, if it has been told to Mr Lane as written. Mr Lane records a significant war crime being conducted by the Japanese on the coastal plains of Papua in late 1942, the killing and ‘butchering’ of 25 women. There is absolutely no evidence at all to support this false allegation, official or unofficial.

Cameron recently outlined in detail the story and fate of the women and children who were in this region during that time. All have been accounted for (their murders fully documented), and there are no missing 25 European women as Mr Lane and Pan MacMillan would have us believe. Also, with literally thousands of Papuans within and outside the Japanese beachheads, how did none come forward with any information about these 25 women. Indeed within weeks the Australian administration was re-established in the area, and anyone coming forward with such significant information, even just seeing these women, let alone their massacre, would have been granted a significant reward and this information would have resulted in an large scale official investigation.

Mr Lane records how a handful of men, without an NCO or officer leading them, went out in search of these woman, guided by a Papuan. These men found these women about one days march from their position, likely towards Gona (which was by then crawling with other Australians from the 21st and 25th brigades). As described and using Mr Lane's timeline, this occurred during the vicious fighting for Gona and Sanananda. As these battles were raging all around this area, Mr Lane writes that around 40 drunken Japanese officers were standing around (unprotected/ unguarded) the decapitated and mutilated bodies of 25 European women. These Japanese must have been outside of the Japanese beachhead defences, within the heart of the Australian sector, or did these Australians break into the Japanese beachhead defences in an attempt to rescue these women? This small party allegedly successfully charged over 20 metres of open ground and killed all these officers in revenge. In their attack apparently only one un-named Australian (only referred to as the ‘Believer’) was killed. After collecting the Japanese IDs and presumably other valuable military intelligence, and presumably the IDs relating to the dead women (as it is alluded to that the Australians knew the nationality and profession of these dead women), they then destroyed all information, to obliterate these Japanese from history.

Mr Lane then records that these men returned to their unit and that they reported the death of their mate and the fate of the 25 unburied mutilated European women, and presumably the killing of 40 Japanese officers, to their un-named officer, who was unconcerned about the massacre and death toll of enemy officers, and did not bother to record it or even relay this significant information to his superior officer. The ‘Believer’s body remained behind with the dead women. So, no details of the location were provided, and no one was sent out to bury the Australian soldier and women, nor was anyone sent out to try and identify these 25 European. A junior officer completely ignored a significant war crime conducted by the enemy in his own sector.

What makes this book especially concerning is that Cameron warned Mr Lane through Pan MacMillan months ago about the likely false narratives in this book (writing that Mr Chard may be confused and had mistakenly recalled fighting on the Sanananda Track as being on the Kokoda Track). In reading this story my worst fears were confirmed. At the time Cameron offered to correct the book, at no payment, other than a contribution be made by Mr Lane from his advance or royalties to a charity of Cameron’s choice – no response was forthcoming.

Distressingly, however, Mr Lane and Pan MacMillan went ahead, failing to do simple due diligence in fact checking, and ensuring they took seriously their duty of care to a Second World War veteran who deserves our respect, and needed to get his story and contribution to military history correct; again this chapter should have been culled in the first draft of the book.

In my opinion Mr Lane and Pan Macmillan are guilty of either: 1) gross incompetency in their lack of due diligence in fact checking and/or 2) given they were aware of the potential embarrassing problems in their book, I can only conclude they pursued financial reward over fact-based history and a duty of care to a 98-year-old war veteran, whose true story should have been told and his contribution recognised.

Australia has a lot to be proud of in terms of our military contributions in war and peace operations. There is a real danger that the very real and significant contribution made by the Australian men and women of the ADF, including Mr Chard’s contribution, will be undermined by publishing books that the author and publisher were warned was full of significant and substantial errors (which could and should have been checked and corrected) – facts matter!

[Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an incredible read...Reg Chard is a real treasure! It is an honest and at times a emotionally raw read that touches on the humanity and love man has for one another, with Reg's wit, humour, and wisdom shines his devotion to his mates, family and man in general. I highly recommend this book to anyone who want an honest read about the effect of war and how one man dealt with it through the love of his loved ones!

[Ben Allan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took me awhile to get into it, though once they finally hit the ground in png I couldn’t put it down.

[Grant Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once in a while you come across a book that really resonates. Reg Chard's biography is one such book. Brilliantly written, it tells a wonderful story of historical purpose, not only of life in the Australian Army during World War II, but beautifully takes on a wonderful journey of Sydney in the 1930’s and 40’s and what it was like to live in those halcyon days.
His journey into the military and what he confronted in Kokoda was tough, brutal and horrific, yet well chronicled from a personal, lived experience of a very different generation. The physical and psychological suffering from those men and woman who put their country before self can only be imagined by those of us lucky enough not have been involved.
Reg, you’re a humble, genuine, kind and wonderful human being who continues to give back regularly to your community and country.
I salute you sir, thank you for your commitment to our country, thank you for your service, and most of all thank you for being you and sharing your experiences.

[Jemirule · Rating 5 out of 5]

I began reading this book to honour my father who was also a digger of Kokoda. I had no idea how the book would move me and the deep connection to it until I read that Reg fought in the 2/33rd…my father’s battalion. Thank you Reg Chard for sharing your survival of Kokoda, so that we never forget the courage, honour and inhuman strength of the diggers who defended us. A wonderful inspiring and beautiful insight into our soldiers at Kokoda. Thank you Daniel Lane for writing Reg’s words to share.

[Geoff Sheehan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would recommend this book to any Australian to read. My father was born within a fortnight of Reg Chard and also served in WW2. But at Morotai and Borneo rather than PNG.
Reg’s recount of his experiences rang absolutely true to the little my Father shared with me over the years before his death. It was really meaningful to me to hear these memories from Reg.

They surely were ‘the great generation’ and we should always be thankful that their sacrifices allow us to live a more peaceful life in a free country.

[B · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truely heartbreaking and inspiring book about a man who has given so much to our community and country.

[Helen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was thinking of buying this book as a gift for my elderly father who enjoys war stories. However, after reading Cameron’s well researched review, I cannot buy this book.

[KARL · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Very raw and honest account of what the men and women of Australia and New Zealand had to deal with in the war. Simply sacrificing everything for the country, I simply tip my hat. As a proud Australian I say Thankyou as if it wasn’t for people like Chard, who knows what the world would be like today let alone our country.

[Bree Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hesitate to ever call a book a "Must Read", but what an eye opening book. The perspectives of a different time really shine through here, but not in the way I was expecting. I'm ashamed to admit I was surprised by how open minded, honest, and reflective a member of an older generation can be.
Reg's story speaks about his time in PNG with a frank honesty, and really helped me to understand that most of the soldiers didn't sign up out of a burning desire to murder Japanese soldiers (although I'm sure there were some like that), but out of a genuine fear for their country and loved ones, and a perceived duty to them. No spoilers, but Reg's interaction with a young Japanese girl towards the end of the book really demonstrates that this was not a campaign of hate, nor did he let the war turn him into a racist or hateful person.
I appreciated hearing what it was like to grow up in a time so different to my own.

[Lee McKerracher · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you wish to learn about war and conflict the best way to gain insights is to read an account from someone who was actually there.

The Digger of Kokoda tells in incredible detail the horror of the war in Papua New Guinea. The conditions the men were expected to fight in were horrendous, their enemy was savage and fanatical, they had little food, were tormented by disease and lived in a hyperalert state that the very next step they took could be their last on this earth.

They witnessed unspeakable cruelty but also experienced the strength of loyalty and mateship. The story of the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels again highlights the dedication and sacrifice these men made to save the lives of hundreds of soldiers they never knew.

It is a raw account of determination, heroism and resilience but also does not shy away from telling the truth about actions that should not have occurred or behaviours that would not now be acceptable.

An excellent thought-provoking book.

[Wendy Kendall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this a powerful & honest account of Reg’s life. What a man. His love of his wife & family and then the experience of war. War always leaves permanent ‘scars’ on health and mind.

The Kokoda memorial & his work with it, have been a life saver for Reg, as he continues to educate school children etc re this theatre of history.

I give this 4.5 🌟

[Rainie Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was captivated by the way Reg Chard told his personal account of his time before, during and after Kokoda. This book is very moving, emotional and at times painful, as Reg tells of a time that no one should ever have to endure. I applaud his courage and strength in a time when it would of been easy to just give up.
Thank you for your service Reg Chard.

[Pei-jean Lu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haunting, Triumphant and inspirational. As one of the last surviving members of a force who endured unthinkable hardships in the jungles of Papua New Guinea against a fanatical enemy, Reg Chard’s story is one that should be told and retold for generations to come.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing story about an amazing man, well written. Doesn't hold back.

[Tracy Mackay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Pan Macmillan for my copy.
This was a great read about a very important and sad part of our Australian history. Reg Chard's biography is interesting in the lead up to him joining the army and then fighting for Australia in Papua New guinea. Well written and never a dull moment.

[Ed Stephens]

Great book

[Zbigniew Zdziarski · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful biography of an Aussie digger. Every Australian should read this. Kokoda is part of our story now.

[John Woodman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kokoda

A magnificent story of true war time courage told in an Aussie way that when read will never be forgotten.
I am so grateful to have found this book and read in 3 days.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the audiobook narrated by him. very interesting story