An Anzac's Story

by Roy Kyle

This book was written by an ordinary ANZAC soldier. Roy Kyle started writing this memoir at the age of 89 and almost completed it before he died. A typical Anzac, fiercely patriotic, he enlisted in the A.I.F. in 1915, several months underage. He spent his eighteenth birthday in the terrible tranches of Gallipoli and then went on to serve on the Western Front. Roy Kyle's story begins with his colorful, classic Australian childhood in country new South Wales and Victoria in the early years of last century. Bryce Courtenay, who helped get Roy Kyle's memoirs published, has provided a moving introduction to this life and times.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, War, Biography, World War I, Australia, Military Fiction

277 pages

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Saturday's Child · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 2019 ANZAC Day read.

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

So great to read a gallipoli story from someone who was actually there! Amazing to hear his stories even though the reality of the war was crazy at times. And it was wonderful to have Bryce Courtenay's inserts which added the historical context. A great read.

[Mrs Mac McKenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading this on ANZAC day. The first part of the book is about his life growing up in rural Australia in the early 1900's. This was interesting in itself.

The send part was his account of his experience in World War 1. He was at Gallipoli for many months, then to reward him for surviving that he was sent to the front line in France - more than once. Reading his story really brought home to me the horrors these mostly young men went through at the hands of the not very smart officers who were making decisions.

Bryce Courteney offers a large historical context on Gallipoli, and then the Western front.

Roy Kyle was in the war for over three years and survived. An incredible tale of luck, smarts and being in the right place at the right time. A truly remarkable experience and read.

[Neil Crowle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great memoir. Roy Kyle was pressured by his family to write it, and at age 89, he did. Thank goodness for it. It is a crystal clear vignette of an Australia that has largely passed, and it honestly tells the story of the author's experiences during World War I. Every Aussie should read this.

[Jesse · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great time capsule of life in Australia during the late 19th and early 20th century, as well as a personal look into life as a soldier during WWI. I would have loved to hear more about the war itself, as much of the book focuses on the author's early life instead, but it still captures the essence of human life from a time gone by.

[Tflinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book, both on the “War to end all Wars” plus some great chapters on Australia in the early “20th”. They bled way too much...

[Jennie Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating reading and I learned new insights into history of the AIF and Gallipoli

[Jeff Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating read about a young "digger's" experience of World War One. Really enjoyed it.

[Rowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is in part an autographical account of Roy Kyle of time and life beforehand as a solider in the Australian Infanty Division ( ie ANZAC )which has been edited and added with historial facts and information by Bryce Courtenay. I found this book does seem to read like it has been written by two authors but given the completixity of WW1 itself its helps the reader to understand in context and allows the story to flow from one stage of life to the next.

I very much enjoyed reading this book. Its reads likes my grandfather telling me his war story and life. Much of the first half of the book is taken up in story of Rob and his life growing up rural Victoria at the turn of the twentith century. I found it his observations and recall of childhood at this time fascinating. This is followed through in his story as a solider who served as on both the Darndanelles Campaign and the Western Front. There are opinions expressed here that I don't think the author would not of expressed in earlier times. There are many, many things I gather that Rob couldn't write about from his life in the trenches. There was without doubt an insanity to WW1 that only those who fought in can understand.

Overall I am very glad to have read this book, helping to add to my perspective and knowledge a point of view not considered before.

[Dermott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is really good as it recalls the story of world war 1.

[Bill Forgeard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this war autobiography as much for the account of pre-war life in Victoria as for the account of the war itself.

[Denise Wilkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

quite an inciteful recollection of the Gallipoli and French campaigns with interesting first hand stories.

[Lauren D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this as it presents military history in a more humanizing and readable manner than other books I've read of this type. Loved the commentary from Bryce Courtenay also.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I loved reading about his early life leading up to the First World War as well as his life in the war.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

An honest first-hand insight into the life of an ANZAC who served both in Gallipoli and France, supported by contextualising annotations from a highly accomplished author. A profound read.

[Fifi Bi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great insight into an ordinary man's life pre world war 1 and matter of fact account of the war. Great intro by Bryce Courtney gives the story context and relevance.