non-fictionQuotation from back cover- "Bushman, farmhand, artist, metropolitan fireman, decorated soldier, soldier settler, POW commandant. At ease in the company of the King or the common man, Albert Chalmers Borella VC did it all. This is his remarkable life story. " In 1918 Albert Borella (1881-1968) led a platoon in an attack to straighten the front line beyond Villers-Bretonneux, from which a major British offensive was to be launched a few weeks later. While ahead of his troops, he single-handedly captured a machine-gun. Then, after clearing a trench and dug-outs, he inspired his men to hold out during heavy enemy counter-attacks. Borella had earlier received the Military Medal and been Mentioned in Despatches. Although he had enlisted in Townsville (from Darwin), after the war he lived in Victoria as a farmer. Borella also served in the Second World War, and afterwards settled in Albury, New South Wales where he passed away on 07 February 1968. This extensive biography documents his background and life achievements.victoria cross, military history, biography albert borella, borella albert chalmers v.c>

Biography. Next To Impossible - The remarkable life of Albert Chalmers Borella VC. Bushman, farm hand, artist, metropolitan fireman, decorated soldier, soldier settler, POW Commandant. At ease in the company of the King or the common man, Albert Chalmers Borella VC did it all. This is his remarkable story. Hard cardboard cover, black print over mid green background on front, spine & back. Sepia portrait photo on front. Colour portrait photo & colour photo of service medals on back. End pages illustrated in black & white battle maps. 510 pages, cut plain paper, illustrated with black & white photos & maps. books - biography/military, vc

Index, ill, maps, p.510.Albert Chalmers Borella was born at Borung, Victoria, 60 kilometres north-west of Bendigo. His parents were Louis Borella and Annie Borella née Chalmers. After attending state schools at Borung and Wychitella, Borella became a farmer, working around Borung and Echuca. He also enlisted as a part-time soldier in the Victorian Rangers, serving for a period of 18 months. He travelled to Melbourne in early 1910 and became a firefighter in the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, remaining in the city until early 1913 when he travelled to the Northern Territory to take up a pastoral lease, working a property on the Daly River until early 1915 when his financial situation forced him to leave the land. world war 1914-1918 - personal narratives - australia, albert chalmers - biography