Transition - Paperback

by Daniel Robert Simpkins (Author)

This book traces the journey of a young man who has had the good fortune to achieve his two boyhood dreams - to be a soldier, and to build bridges. Dan spent 20 years as a soldier, made up of 14 years in the Regular Army and then 6 years in the Reserve, completing service as a Lieutenant Colonel. Dan experienced 12 months active service in the Vietnam War as a troop commander, followed by two years in Papua New Guinea building a road to Kokoda. He achieved his second aim of bridge building by being involved in the construction of two major bridges across the Brisbane River - the Merivale Rail Bridge and the Gateway Bridge. Between those two, Dan commenced his own business as a contractor building bridges, but the enterprise was not financially successful. The book concludes with details of varying experiences as a professional engineer, culminating in the successful completion of a road in Samoa, by solving technical and managerial problems, and surviving the horrendous Cyclone Val in December 1971.