Lieutenant Albert Chalmers Borella V.C. M.M. MID
Plaque :
Lieut. Albert Chalmers Borella VC, MM, MID
Born at Borung, Victoria near Wedderburn, on the 7th August 1881
Raised in the Borung District, schooled at the Borung and Wychitella South state schools
Died in Albury, New South Wales on the 7th February 1968
The Victoria Cross was awarded in recognition of exceptional gallantry and devotion to duty during operations at Villers-Bretonneux, France, on the 17th July 1918.
"For most conspicuous bravery in attack, whilst leading his platoon with the first wave Lt. Borella marked an enemy machine gun firing through our barrage. He ran out ahead of his men into the barrage, shot two German machine-gunners with his revolver, and captured the gun. He then led his party, now reduced to ten men and two Lewis guns, against a very strongly held trench, using his revolver and later a rifle, with great effect, causing many enemy casualties.
His leading and splendid example resulted in the garrison being quickly shot or captured. Two large dug-outs were also bombed and thirty prisoners taken. Subsequently the enemy twice counter-attacked in strong force, on the second occasion outnumbering Lt. Borella`s platoon by ten to one, but his cool determination inspired his men to resist heroically, and the enemy were repulsed with very heavy loss.
Lt. Borella also served six years in the Australian Army during World War Two, rising to the rank of Captain. He then settled in Albury where he was buried with full military honours. He continued to visit family in the Borung district until three years before his death.
Captain Albert Jacka V.C. M.C. and Bar
Plaque :
Captain Albert Jacka, VC, MC and Bar
Born near Winchelsea, Victoria on the 10th January 1893
Raised and schooled in Wedderburn, Victoria
Died in Caulfield, Victoria on the 17th January 1932
Bert Jacka enlisted in the 14th Battalion AIFin September 1914, aged 21. He went ashore at ANZAC Cove on 20th April 1915. On 19th May 1915, at "Courtney`s Post" he recaptured a portion of trench line taken by the Turks and single handedly killed seven of the enemy and he became a national hero when he was awarded the Victoria Cross, the first to an Australian in World War One.
In August 1916 at Pozieres, Jacka`s position was overrun. With only a handful of men he led a counter-attack and was wounded numerous times. He was inspirational during fierce hand-to-hand fighting and with the help of other Australians the ground was retaken. For this "individual audacity" Jacka was awarded the Military Cross. In April 1917 Jacka received a Bar to his Military Cross, for his bravery during the action at Bullecourt and for capturing an enemy patrol. His Battalion became known as "Jack`s Mob".
In 1918 Jacka was badly gassed, which effectively ended his military career. In Oct 1919 he returned to Melbourne to a grand reception. On the 28th Oct. 1919 he returned to his family in Wedderburn where he announced he was making Melbourne his future home. He established an electrical goods business and was elected Mayor of St. Kilda in 1930.
He died on the 17th January 1932 due to his war injuries. |
