Two large shells exploded near Lance Corporal Phillip Davies while he was digging in telephone cables at Messines Ridge during World War 1.
The explosions sent shrapnel into his arms and legs, which killed one of his fellow soldiers and wounded two others.
The next morning, he found a piece of shrapnel buried in the Soldier's Bible, kept in the pocket above his heart. The bullet had been stopped by the book's back cover.
It was one of more than a million bibles donated to Australian servicemen by the Bible Society Australia, a service the society upholds to this day.
A new ADF bible was officially launched on March 13 during a ceremony in Canberra, 20 years after the last edition came into service.
The latest iteration of the good book, a New International Version, was presented by Tina King from the society to Major General Sue Graham as CDF's representative.
"We acknowledge in the Defence Force how we are continually supported by the public, and the sacrifice from Bible Society volunteers brought forward today is another embodiment of that," Major General Graham said.
"It's particularly important to have a bible that is available and relevant to all our soldiers, sailors and aviators."
Replacing the previous ADF bible, in service since 2005, it contains content specific to ADF service, including the soldier's, sailor's and airmen's prayers.
"This is not a book for a bookshelf, it is a book to be near. We hope it will be dog-eared, underlined, searched and cherished," Ms King said.
The society provided an historical display of bibles at the ceremony, from the previous ADF bible back to the Boer War, including Lance Corporal Davies' life-saving bible.
Director General Chaplaincy - Army, Principle Chaplain Kerry Larwill, said about 44 per cent of Australians identified as Christian, "and more are interested in spirituality of different varieties".
"For people who serve in Defence, which we know has demands on individuals and their families, it's a source of light and hope to those who derive their meaning from a Christian perspective or value its wisdom," Chaplain Larwill said.
A chaplain from England brought 2000 bibles to Australia with the First Fleet, and a Bible Society auxiliary was established in 1817.
The bibles can be found at Christian chapels on Defence establishments, and can be requested through ADF chaplains.
