For 7 year-old Raymond Johnson

Born in India of Anglo/Indian parents, his migration to Sydney, Australia, in 1949 is the start of a great adventure. The story follows Raymond's early life as he struggles through harsh treatment at boarding school and at the hands of his often-violent father's alcohol-induced rages.

After marriage at a young age, he joins the Commandos and later sees service with the AATV in Vietnam. The aftermath of that bloody conflict is his continuing nightmares; a drift into alcohol dependence, marriage break-up and years spent aimlessly drifting from job to job in tough outback-Australian country towns.

A troubled man trying to get his life back together, a man with an honourable code, a modern day Paladin. This is a tale of abuse, love, mateship, courage, degradation and redemption.