Roland Perry

Roland Perry is an Australian author and historian whose nonfiction spans military history, politics, biography, intelligence, and sport. Bill the Bastard: The Story Of Australia’s Greatest War Horse recounts the service of a notably large chestnut gelding in World War I. Perry follows Bill from difficult early handling to the Middle East campaigns, where Major Michael Shanahan recognized the horse’s unusual strength and composure. Bill carried soldiers, supplies, and wounded men under demanding conditions, becoming part of the wider story of the Australian Light Horse. Allen & Unwin published Perry’s account in 2012. The narrative combines documented history with dramatized scenes, keeping the animal’s endurance and the practical demands of mounted warfare in view. Readers find a portrait of a horse, his riders, and the trust demanded by mounted service.