Bert Facey's tormented early years through his father's death and harsh economic depression

Starting Out (1897-1905)

Reunited with his mother after 12 years, Bert soon moves north to seek work.

Journey (1908-1914)

A champion prize fighter, Bert enlists when WWI breaks out, surviving the nightmare of Gallipoli.

Providence (1914-1916)

At eight years old, an impoverished Bert Facey was forced to start the backbreaking, dawn-to-dusk life of a farm labourer. Unschooled, his father dead, abandoned by his mother, by the age of twenty he had survived the rigours of pioneering the harsh Australian bush and the slaughter of the bloody WWI campaign at Gallipoli.

All Episodes of A Fortunate Life

Browse all episodes of A Fortunate Life

Season 1

Starting Out (1897-1905)

Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 4/27/1986

Journey (1908-1914)

Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 4/29/1986

Providence (1914-1916)

Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 4/30/1986