Albert JACKA VC, MC and Bar

Albert JACKA VC, MC and Bar Update Details

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JACKA, Albert

Service Number:	465
Enlisted:	15 September 1914, Melbourne, Victoria
Last Rank:	Captain
Last Unit:	14th Infantry Battalion
Born:	Geelong, Victoria. Australia, 10 January 1893
Home Town:	Wedderburn, Loddon, Victoria
Schooling:	Wedderburn School
Occupation:	Labourer
Died:	Natural causes (kidney disorder), Caufield Military Hospital, Victoria. Australia, 17 January 1932, aged 39 years
Cemetery:	St Kilda Cemetery, Victoria Presbyterian, Compartment B, Grave 31
Tree Plaque:	Modewarre Avenue of Honour
Memorials:	Beechworth Forest Service of Victoria Roll of Honour, Keith Payne VC Memorial Park, Modewarre & District Avenue of Honour Roll WWI, Modewarre Avenue of Honour Plaque, Modewarre Captain Albert Jacka V.C. Plaque, North Bondi War Memorial, North Brother War Memorial, St. Kilda Captain Albert Jacka V.C. Memorial Plaque, Wedderburn "BORELLA" & "JACKA" VC Sculpture, Wedderburn Memorial Gates, Wedderburn State School Roll of Honour Book & Cabinet, Wedderburn War Memorial, Winchelsea WWI Memorial

World War 1 Service

15 Sep 1914:	Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 465, Melbourne, Victoria
22 Dec 1914:	Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 465, 14th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '11' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Ulysses embarkation_ship_number: A38 public_note: ''
22 Dec 1914:	Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 465, 14th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ulysses, Melbourne
25 Apr 1915:	Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 465, 14th Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli
28 Aug 1915:	Promoted AIF WW1, Corporal, 14th Infantry Battalion, Promoted following award of VC
12 Sep 1915:	Promoted AIF WW1, Sergeant, 14th Infantry Battalion
29 Apr 1916:	Promoted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 14th Infantry Battalion
7 Aug 1916:	Involvement AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 14th Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières
15 Mar 1917:	Promoted AIF WW1, Captain, 14th Infantry Battalion
7 Jun 1917:	Involvement AIF WW1, Captain, 14th Infantry Battalion, Battle of Messines
8 Jul 1917:	Wounded AIF WW1, Captain, 14th Infantry Battalion, Shot by a sniper at Ploegsteert Wood
26 Sep 1917:	Involvement AIF WW1, Captain, 14th Infantry Battalion, Polygon Wood
16 May 1918:	Wounded AIF WW1, Captain, 14th Infantry Battalion, Villers-Bretonneux, Mustard gas attack
10 Jan 1920:	Discharged AIF WW1, Captain, 14th Infantry Battalion

WW1

The details provided are taken from the book "Stealth Raiders - a few daring men in 1918" written by Lucas Jordan, published 2017, refer to page 268. Prior to the war he was a labourer of Wedderburn Vic. He enlisted 18th Sept 1914 aged 21 years. He was allocated to the 14th Infantry Battalion, and was promoted through the ranks reaching the rank of Captain. During this war period he earned the VC and the MC and bar. He survived the war and departed the UK for home 6th Sept 1919.

"Jacka and the RSL"

An excerpt from the Biography, "Jacka VC" by Ian Grant (McMillan, Australia 1989)

" ... Jacka became a prominent official in the 14th Battalion Association and also successfully sought office in the St Kilda Branch of what was to become known as the Returned Soldiers League. The St Kilda Branch became known as The Hero's Club because of Jacka's association with it. The RSL provided a meeting ground where common experiences could be remembered and shared. It was also seen to provide the most appropriate vehicle for ensuring the well-being of the returned men. ..."

Biography contributed by Robert Kearney

Jacka, Albert (1893–1932)
by Kevin J. Fewster

Albert Jacka, soldier and merchant, was born on 10 January 1893 at Layard near Winchelsea, Victoria, fourth child of Nathaniel Jacka, a Victorian-born labourer, later a farmer and contractor, and his English wife Elizabeth, née Kettle. The family moved to Wedderburn when Albert was 5. After elementary schooling, Bert worked as a labourer with his father, then for the Victorian State Forests Department. He was a shy youth, but excelled at sports, especially cycling.

Jacka enlisted on 18 September 1914 as a private in the 14th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, and trained at Broadmeadows camp. His unit embarked on 22 December and spent two months training in Egypt before landing at Anzac Cove, Gallipoli Peninsula, on 26 April 1915. Early on 19 May the Turks launched a massive counter-attack along practically the entire Anzac line. At about 4 a.m. they rushed Courtney's Post. Amid frenzied fighting some Turks captured a twelve-yard (11 m) section of trench, one end of which was guarded by Jacka. For several minutes he fired warning shots into the trench wall until reinforcements arrived and, after shouting his instructions, he and three others sprang out into the trench. All but Jacka were immediately hit so he leapt back into the communication trench. A new plan was devised. Two bombs were lobbed at the Turks while Jacka skirted around to attack from the flank. Amid the smoke and the noise he clambered over the parapet, shot five Turks and bayoneted two as the rest hastily retreated. 'I managed to get the beggars, Sir', he reputedly told the first officer to appear. For this action he received the Victoria Cross, the first to be awarded to the A.I.F. in World War I.

https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/jacka-albert-6808 (adb.anu.edu.au)

Virtual
War Memorial
Australia