An Outside Man

The story follows the life of Fane Roskill, from his childhood in 1920’s peasant Somerset, to emerging Australia, to untamed New Guinea up to the onset of the Pacific war.

Fane and his mother set out on the long journey to New Guinea, where his father awaits. Tragedy follows when their ship is attacked by natives.

As a young man Fane is brought up in Australia by Stephenson, a respected hunter. Though married, Fane frequents the brothels of Sydney harbour and is implicated in the murder of a prostitute. Divorce follows and shame forces him to accept a post in British administered Papua as a Field Officer. (Lieutenant-Governor Murray has them as ‘outside men’).

Fane’s exploits become legendary, the first man to trek for months through the unexplored and dangerous heartland of the territory. Fane marries his childhood friend who returns with him to Papua.They combat the hard and menacing life of the time. A war with Germany, Japanese forces on their doorstep and natives violently resisting the new order.