The stories that Canterbury Bankstown resident, World War II veteran Reginald ‘Reg’ Chard, recounts are nothing short of extraordinary.
The 98-year-old from Villawood was a member of the second 55th and second 33rd Battalions in the seventh division, serving on the Kokoda Track campaign for 14 months.
“I was 18 when I joined on the 17th of November 1941 at Addison Road, Marrickville,” says Reg.
“They said to us, ‘You’re in the army as of now and we’ll send you a telegram of when you’ve got to come in’ and four days later, I received the telegram.”
Reg has continued to serve his local community long after the war, selflessly sharing his stories with school children and visitors as a volunteer tour guide at the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway in Concord.
In 2021, Reg was awarded with a Medal of the Order of Australia for his services to military history and his dedication to keeping local heritage alive.
Popular TV show Better Homes and Gardens have shown their appreciation for Reg’s service with a complete yard makeover as part of their Anzac Day special.
Reg said it was a “real surprise” and the “nicest thing anyone’s ever done” for him.
“They put a picket fence up out the front, new gardens and painted all of my concrete… it’s like a new home!”
Reg’s yard makeover will feature on Better Homes and Gardens, Channel 7, this Friday 22 April at 7pm.
