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STARLIGHT
Author:
Dr. Tony White AM
Reviewed
By Book Blurb & Robert 'Dogs' Kearney
The duties and life of a
frontline Australian doctor in the Vietnam War (5 RAR
1966/67).
STARLIGHT was
the radio call sign for army doctors and medics. Vivid
recollections of author's 12 month tour of duty as a
frontline doctor in difficult territory. Born in
Australia, reared in Kenya, Africa, and educated in
England and Australia with a medical degree from Sydney
University, the author was Mentioned in Dispatches
during the war, is still a medical practitioner
specialising in remote areas and skin diseases in the
Pacific Islands, and assists the Royal Flying Doctor
Service. He was made a member of The Order of Australia
in 2009.
▼
 Vietnam was Australia's
longest and most controversial war. This book vividly
recalls the Author's 12 month tour of duty as a
frontline doctor in difficult territory. Starlight was
the radio call sign for army doctors and medics.
For those who were there, this book will surely refresh
memories, good and bad, of those days of conflict. For
those who weren't there, Tony White has painted the
scenes skillfully with his letters home from the
warfront, and connecting stories.
I commend strongly his story to all as an outstanding
account of the duties and life of a frontline Australian
doctor in the Vietnam War.
Major-General WB Digger James AC MBE MC MBBS
▼
When I think of the solid service, patient endurance,
steady courage in the face of danger and the basic
decency and dependability of the ordinary Australian
soldier, I'm intensely proud to have 'been there and
done that' in such company.
Tony White
▼
From Robert (Dogs) Kearney
5RAR 1st Tour and author of Silent Voices and
co-author of Crossfire and Flashback, Echoes
from a Hard War wrote:
Ted
this is a great read mate- I could hardly put it down;
read it in two sittings.
I highly recommend it to every member of the battalion
and their families; it is an easy read that covers the
personal side of a son, brother, and young doctor at
war.
Through sharing his letters, thoughts, fears and use of
black humour as well as his practical methods of dealing
with stress, Tony has produced a wonderful book; I will
revisit it from time to time to subdue my own dragons.
Doc’s honest caring for the diggers comes through in his
clear and descriptive sharing of the events of 66-67
many we as diggers didn’t know about but others in which
we were the players. His use of personal family letters
brings an immediacy that can’t be squeezed from a fading
memory.
This book will be read by a diverse range of people but
especially his and our grandchildren, great
grandchildren etc.
I am sure it will become mandatory reading for RMC, and
AAMC; it will always be a valuable reference for young
green Army doctors.
This is definitely one for the website mate.
Best wishes to you your family and all the tigers
family.
Dogs
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(Left to Right)
'Doc' White with Bob O'Neill who was the
battalion's intelligence officer for most of
the 1st tour.
Doc signing his book at the book launch.
Susie and Tassie Wass, with Shirley Warr at
right. |
STARLIGHT, ISBN 987 1
876344 689,
$33.00 (including Postage & Packaging) is available
from;
CopyRight Publishing,
GPO Box 2927, BRISBANE, QLD, 4001.
Tel; (07) 3229-6366, Fax; (07) 3229-8782
Email; info@copyright.net.au
Web-site;
www.copyright.net.au
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