Willie Apiata's best-selling biography abridged &  re-written for younger readers.

ON A DARK AND COLD AFGHANISTAN HILLTOP, LANCE CORPORAL WILLIE APIATA, A NEW ZEALAND SPECIAL AIR SERVICE TROOPER, WAS TRAPPED AT THE FRONT OF A MAJOR FIRE-FIGHT WITH SUSPECTED TALIBAN FIGHTERS. ONE OF HIS MATES WAS BLEEDING TO DEATH AND THEY WERE PINNED DOWN BY INTENSE ENEMY MACHINE GUN AND ROCKER FIRE.

For Willie there was no choice. With the lives and safety of his mates his only priority, Willie performed an act of courage that has now become part of New Zealand history and saw him awarded the highest military honour for bravery in the Commonwealth – the Victoria Cross

From his amazing childhood growing up on New Zealand's East Coast, to his favourite pig-hunting adventures and the people that inspired him along the way, this is the story of Willie Apiata, VC – an ordinary Kiwi bloke, a very reluctant hero.

Author Biography

John Lockyer is a teacher. In 1990, after working in many schools and experiencing many positions including senior teacher, deputy principal and principal, he decided to give up his administrative responsibilities to spend more time teaching and writing. 'Teaching is a lot like writing,' he says. 'Even after careful planning, I'm never sure what's going to happen each day. And that's what makes it exciting.' John's first story was published in 1987. Although he has written resource books for teachers, he writes mainly for children. He has written stories and books for many ages and interests including sports, history, natural history, adventure, science fiction, real-life, fantasy and plays. John particularly enjoys writing science fiction. This genre allows him to use his imagination to develop believable but fantastic plots.