AUSTRALIAN MILITARY ABORIGINAL INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANA BIOGRAPHY
“I was ready to go by the time I was twelve. I didn’t know what I wanted to do, I just wanted to get away from there.”On the day he turns seventeen, Frank Mallard enlists in the Australian Army. He takes the first available opportunity to serve his country and every opportunity after that, experiencing all the highs and lows of military life. His dedication to service and love of adventure sees him continue to serve overseas even after his time with the Army ends. All the while, the cost of being witness to large-scale conflicts accrues. When a hardened criminal takes exception to Frank, his personal bill comes due and Frank is immobilised just as a new chapter of his life is ready to start – with or without him.You Couldn’t Stop Me forms a record of one man’s journeys across the world chasing his future while dark memories nip at his heels. The words of Frank Mallard are compiled and edited by Bernie Rutkay into the diverse and entertaining yarn of one fighter who loses his ability to fight, but decides to do it anyway.Frank Mallard was born in the Yamatji tribal area of Western Australia in 1945. He left school at sixteen to work on farms in the area until the age of seventeen, when he signed on to join the Australian Army. He later served in the UN and NATO. Frank is the recipient of fourteen military decorations, medals and commendations, including the Pinjat Jasa Malaysia Medal, the American Presidential Commendation, and the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm. He also received the 2018 City of Swan Citizen of the Year and Senior Citizen of the Year and the 2019 WA Senior Australian of the Year and the 2019 WA Senior Australian of the Year awards for his volunteer and charitable work locally and overseas.
pp. 104 First Edition #290523 Signed by Author.