COMP CLOSED | Book Giveaway | Nine Lives of a Soldier and Sailor

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We’re excited to be giving away two copies of Nine Lives of a Soldier and Sailor by Kelvin Davis to our GrownUps members!

To be in the draw, simply make sure you’re a GrownUps member, signed up to our newsletter, and fill in your details at the bottom of the page.

Nine Lives of A Soldier and Sailor_About Nine Lives of a Soldier and Sailor

A gripping memoir detailing an extraordinary life, from Vietnam war medic to commercial diver and entrepreneur

After decades of reflection, Kelvin Davis shares his remarkable journey — from performing surgeries in the Vietnam War to navigating the perilous depths as a commercial diver, and later, forging successful business ventures inspired by his Navy training.

Kelvin’s memoir paints a vivid picture of his experiences as the only Navy Medic to patrol alongside the New Zealand infantry in Vietnam. At just 23 years old, he and his colleagues performed surgeries with limited tools and rudimentary anaesthetics amidst the chaos of war. His candid recounting of a Viet Cong ambush, where he was shot in the chest, reveals the raw fears and emotions he faced, as well as the deep grief, over the loss of nearly 40 American soldiers he served with. “My emotions are fully exposed in the book,” says Kelvin. “I describe the grief and sadness when nearly forty American soldier friends were killed… Often I felt guilt knowing of their death before their parents, and as a young man it played havoc on my mental state.”

Beyond the battlefield, Kelvin’s memoir examines his unique Navy training and exhilarating career as a diver, including harrowing experiences like running out of air while working inside a pipeline in total darkness and a colleague being pinned to the ocean floor by a large octopus.

His post-Navy years as an entrepreneur highlight how the discipline and problem-solving skills honed in the military guided his business successes.

Esteemed authors have praised the memoir’s compelling storytelling and emotional depth. Ruth Shaw, author of The Bookseller at the End of The World, says, “Kelvin has never stepped away from adventure… By the final few pages, you will know what ‘living every minute of your life’ truly means.” Anne Tiernan, bestselling author of The Good Mistress, adds, “He manages to convey the horror of war but also the saving grace of compassion and friendship and ultimately the great resilience of the human spirit.”

After 55 years, Kelvin hopes his memoir will reconnect him with the American Army Engineers who survived a brutal roadside ambush alongside him and inspire veterans worldwide to share their stories. “It has been 47 years since I left the Royal New Zealand Navy and 53 years since I served in South Vietnam… My family has urged me to write my memoirs for them and our grandchildren before they fade with time or are taken with me when I depart this earth.”

This gripping memoir provides an intimate glimpse into a life marked by courage, near-death experiences, and resilience. Offering readers a rare glimpse into the mind of a man who has truly lived on the edge and beyond.

About Kelvin Davis

Kelvin Davis served thirteen years in the Royal New Zealand Navy, including as a medic during the Vietnam War. Following his military service, he became a qualified commercial diver and successful entrepreneur, co-founding businesses in plastic, infrared heating, and refrigeration operations.

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Terms and conditions

    1. You must be a GrownUps member and subscribed to our newsletter to be eligible to enter.

    2. The competition closes on 10th September 2025. Winners will be notified via email by 11th September 2025.

    3. It is your responsibility to provide a correct New Zealand postal address for prize delivery. GrownUps is not responsible for prizes sent to incorrect addresses.

    4. Winners will be drawn at random by the GrownUps administration team.

    5. GrownUps employees and their immediate families are not eligible to enter.

    6. By entering, you agree to GrownUps using your name on social media as a winner of the competition.

    7. One entry per household.

    8. The prize is non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash or other items.

    9. You must reside in New Zealand, as the prize can only be delivered within New Zealand.

    10. You must be over 50 years of age to enter. Please ensure your membership details are up to date in your dashboard.