David Rae Sabben was born in Suva, Fiji, on 14 January 1945. He moved to Australia in 1958 to board at Trinity Grammar School, Sydney. After graduating from school in 1962, he was working as an advertising layout artist for a large Sydney department store.
With Australia's participation in the Vietnam war growing and the introduction of Australia's National Service scheme in 1964, David was called up for the first intake in 1965. During initial training, he applied for officer training. David completed the first course at Scheyville, NSW, graduating as a second lieutenant.
In January 1966, David posted to 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (6 RAR), in Enoggera, Brisbane. He commanded 12 Platoon, Delta Company, and arrived in South Vietnam in June 1966.
David served in one of Australia's most intense battles of the Vietnam War – the Battle of Long Tan. At 21 years old, it was an experience he would never forget.
Nothing could prepare you for it, I'd been in the army a year and a month, and to come into what was essentially a pitched conventional battle – no amount of training could prepare you for how to cope with it.
[David Sabben and the Battle of Long Tan by Clair Hunter, 15 August 2018, Australian War Memorial, accessed 6 December 2022]
David was mentioned in dispatches for his actions during Long Tan and later awarded the Medal for Gallantry, but the loss of his men remained as a heavy burden.
After a 12-month tour, David returned to Australia and discharged from the Army, having completed his service obligation. He undertook training in computer programming and worked in the IT industry until December 2004. He retired to follow his passion of writing. He wrote and co-authored three books about the war in Vietnam.