The Paladin

About the Book

For 7 year-old Raymond Johnson, born in India of Anglo/Indian parents, his migration to Sydney, Australia, in 1949 is the start of a great adventure. The story follows Raymond’s early life as he struggles through harsh treatment at boarding school and at the hands of his often-violent father’s alcohol induced rages. After marriage at a young age, he joins the Commandos and later sees service with the AATV in Vietnam. The aftermath of that bloody conflict is his continuing nightmares; a drift into alcohol dependence, marriage break-up and years spent aimlessly drifting from job to job in tough outback-Australian country towns. A troubled man trying to get his life back together, a man with an honourable code, a modern day Paladin. This is a tale of abuse, love, mateship, courage, degradation and redemption.

About the Author

Reg Pierce, as a migrant boy, grew up in similar circumstances to the fictional main character in this story. He was in the Commandos, but did not serve overseas. These days he’s happily married with 4 children and 8 grandchildren. He still plies his trade operating a very small auto-body repair shop. Reg is heavily involved in Rotary and has served as President of his local club twice as well as being involved at District level for over 8 years. In 2008 he was awarded “Paul Harris” recognition. When it came to writing this book, he was greatly influenced by the life of Keith Payne VC, whom he met in the Commandos. As a non-combatant himself and with the storyline he’d chosen, Keith’s story, ”Where to for Valour,” by Stan Krasnoff, published by Shala Press, fitted the bill when it was necessary to describe the actions of a man in combat conditions. He hastens to add that his main character in no way mirrors Keith who, was and is, a soldier’s soldier and a man of great integrity.