Military Veteran Highlights the Skills and Courage Australian Sappers Performed Daily During the Vietnam War

USA - English

• USA - English

STRATHDALE, Australia, Jan. 26, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- In "History of 1 Field Squadron Group, Royal Australian Engineers, SVN, 1965–1972" by Brian Florence, the author, a veteran himself, dives into bravery, ingenuity and impacts of war as he emphasizes the sacrifices made by Australian Sappers and how their legacy should continue to inspire others. In the book, Florence presents the talent and valor the members of 1 Field Squadron Group of the Royal Australian Engineers displayed and the vital role they played to support the infantry during the war in South Vietnam from 1965 to 1972. He also provides a comprehensive historical record of the operations and work of the Sappers for their wives, children and families.

Throughout the book, Florence discusses the contributions Australian engineers made during the war such as constructing vital infrastructure including camps, hospitals, water supply, roads, airfields and much more to enable a decent standard of living and support for the fighting arm of the taskforce. The personal accounts presented in the book show how war is much more than just fighting, it also deals with the feelings and face to face experiences with fellow soldiers and the innocent communities that are affected.   

"I was involved in writing and researching the official war history of Sappers from World War II up until the Vietnam War started," said Florence. "I was then asked to write this book because I expressed the view that it was needed because the true worth and work of the Australian Sappers in Vietnam had not yet been fully acknowledged."

Royal Australian Engineers are still active today supporting the United Nations with a focus on humanitarian operations and clearing mines in war zones such as Afghanistan, Namibia and Mozambique. It is Florence's hope to bring awareness to the contributions the dedicated members of 1 Field Squadron Group of the Royal Australian Engineers made in South Vietnam to inspire past, current and future members with their achievements and resilience.

"History of 1 Field Squadron Group, Royal Australian Engineers, SVN, 1965–1972"
By Brian Florence
ISBN: 9781524519193 (softcover); 9781524519209 (hardcover); 9781524519216 (electronic)
Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Xlibris

About the author
Brian Florence was educated at St. Brendan's Primary School and later at Sacred Heart College in Shepparton, Australia. At the end of World War II and after completing his secondary education, he deferred further studies and spent two years working his way around Australia before working as a surveyor. Florence enlisted in the Army in early 1952 and graduated from Officer Cadet School in Portsea that year as a 2nd lieutenant and allotted to the Royal Australian Engineers. He later attended and graduated from the Australian Staff College in 1965. Florence's military service in Australia was spent mainly in the field of regimental and training appointments in Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia. His overseas service was spent in New Guinea, New Britain, New Ireland and Bougainville in bomb and mine clearance duties over two years and later in the Malayan Emergency and Vietnam conflict. He was seconded to the British Army for two tours of duty for four years and to the New Zealand Army for over two years. Florence was the Commandant of the Officer Cadet School, Portsea for two years. During his military service, he was awarded the MC and the AM. Although now legally blind, he continues to live in his own home on the eastern side of Bendigo. Florence continues to provide advice to his ex-soldiers of various corps who seek help on many matters.

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SOURCE Brian Florence