Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From Ballarat & District in the Great War

Jack Locke had a reputation. He was known as the most popular boy at Ballarat’s St Patrick’s College. In a large school of often very personable and intelligently gifted boys, this was a remarkable effort…and responsibility.

The son of Melbourne accountant, Samuel James Locke, and his wife, Bessie MacAvoy, William James MacAvoy Locke was born on 14 August 1894 – sharing a birthday with his only sibling, Ann Mary Hannah “Mollie”, who was born on 14 Aug 1890. They were both born at the family home of “Lisbourne” in Charlotte Place, East St Kilda.

Jack, as he was most commonly known, began his schooling with the Christian Brothers in East Melbourne. He then graduated to St Patrick’s College in Ballarat, where he was enrolled in 1907. He quickly showed distinct promise as a student by finishing two places behind the dux of the sub-matriculation class of 1907. He passed his junior public examinations in December 1909, and the following year received a gold medal for his results in the second round of the exams, with distinctions in Algebra, geometry, Latin, history, and French, and passes in English, geography and physics. In May 1911, he and three of his class mates were set for the clerical Federal Public Service examinations – all passed successfully.

Deciding to pursue a military career, Jack entered the Royal Military College, Duntroon on 7 March 1912. He was a member of the second class to be accepted into the college. When the formal naming ceremony of Canberra as the Australian Capital was held on 12 March 1913, Jack was a member of the guard of honour.

The advent of war in August 1914, changed everything for the Duntroon students. Graduations were pushed through ahead of time to enable young officers to immediately join the AIF. As a result, Jack Locke graduated on 2 November 1914, and joined the permanent military forces.

On 21 December, Jack was commissioned as a lieutenant and appointed to A Company of the 13th Infantry Battalion. Despite obviously being considered fit for active service, the standard medical examination was conducted; it revealed him to be relatively small in stature – he was 5-feet 6-inches tall and weighed just 9-stone 2-pounds. His physical description revealed that he had a fresh complexion, with fair hair and hazel eyes. The very next day he boarded the troopship Ulysses to begin the voyage to Egypt.

Two days before embarking for Gallipoli on 12 April 1915, Jack was named as Ordinance Officer for the 4th Infantry Brigade. He landed at ANZAC with the 13th Battalion on 26 April and took up position at the head of Monash Valley with his men.

As was noted in the SPC annual, Jack not only handled himself well as a soldier during this time, he ‘…brought to perfection on the battlefield the sterling qualities which distinguished him at College. Jack neither forgot nor neglected his religious training at SPC. The Army Chaplain (Father Power) at Gallipoli, stated that Jack was of great assistance to him in serving Mass and keeping his men “up to the mark” in attending the Holy Sacrifice, showing that he did not forget to serve God as well as his country…’

After three months on the peninsula, Jack was given the opportunity of higher command, with a temporary promotion to captain. But twelve weeks suffering the privations of trench life had also exposed him to the many diseases that were often a bigger threat than the Turkish bullets. On 29 July he was admitted to the No2 Stationary Hospital in the town of Mudros (on the nearby Greek island of Lemnos) suffering from a bout of gastritis.

Back at ANZAC, Jack was about to show his true worth as an officer. During a night attack on 27 September, his performance (as described in newspaper article that appeared in the Melbourne Argus) would lead to him being decorated with the Military Cross.

‘…All Saturday was occupied in securing the line, and in sorting out units that had become mixed up during the night. There was no more work however, for the tired troops. As soon as darkness set in, with the British and Indian Brigades on the right, a determined assault was delivered on the main spur, which had been marked as the brigade’s final stopping place. It was a young Duntroon officer who led the way by compass, the 15th, 14th and 16th Battalion, in that order, forming the attacking force, with the New South Wales unit in reserve. Immediate opposition was met, and a fierce fight followed, in which Queensland troops were the most heavily engaged. Their duty was to make a reconnaissance in force to the north, with a view to distracting as many of the Turks as possible from the main attack. The battle necessitated as advance of about two miles into terribly rough country, teeming with the enemy, and an enormous number of machine guns were brought into play from the Turkish flanks. The brigade, however, maintained the fight in the darkness for over three hours, while Ghurkas scaled the neighbouring heights. When the task set the Australians had been achieved, they withdrew to a defensive position on the main spur of Abd-El-Rahman Bair, where I left them, snug and well dug in, prepared to resist any force the enemy can put into the field…’

One of the frustrations with the story of Jack Locke is that at some point he was wounded in action at Gallipoli, but there is no reference in any official records as to when this actually occurred. It seems most likely that he was wounded during this particular raid, given that he was then sent back to Alexandria on 12 October. It is known that he suffered a gunshot wound to his right shoulder and the bullet remained in situ for the rest of his life.

Upon resuming active duty on 31 October, Jack was named as Orderly Officer (as Staff Captain) to Brigadier-General John Monash during a period at Mudros and then back at Gallipoli. A classic photograph from this time shows Jack with Monash and other officers in the rough humpy that was the 4th Brigade Headquarters.

Jack Locke remained on the peninsula until the now famous evacuation.

News that he had been Mentioned in Despatches came through shortly before he arrived back in Alexandria on 27 December. This was followed by confirmation of promotion to captain on 20 January 1916.

Jack had been in France for just over two weeks when it was confirmed that he had been awarded the Military Cross on 24 June. Throughout the ensuing months he continued in his role as staff captain. On 24 October, he relinquished this appointment and resumed regimental duty with the 13th Battalion at Belloy.

On 11 November, Jack was promoted to the rank of major. The following day he assumed command of the battalion whilst Lieutenant-Colonel James Durrant attended a week-long conference.

The beginning of 1917 saw the young officer detached for duty with 1st ANZAC Headquarters. He was then transferred to England to attend a Staff Course at Clare College, Cambridge, on 14 February. This was followed by confirmation that he was to hold the rank of Brigade Major. A confidential memo from this time was very revealing,

‘…Has been a Staff Captain for 14 months and has been appointed brigade major since coming to this course. He is very intelligent and a very quick worker and should do well…’

The remarkable aspect of this is Jack Locke was aged just 22 years and 6 months.

Having successfully completed his course, Jack joined the 3rd Infantry Brigade on 30 March 1917. The appointment was to last just six months, and, on 26 September, he sailed for home. His role in the AIF was terminated on 5 December.

There was no explanation as to why Jack, a young, proven, decorated officer, should be sent to Australia – especially at a time when every man was vital. It can only be assumed that either the bullet imbedded in his shoulder was causing difficulties or that it was believed he could be of greater value in an administrative capacity on the home front. He joined the Administrative and Instructional Staff of the 3rd Military District (Victoria), the announcement being made in the Melbourne Age newspaper,

‘…Major W J. M. Locke, a graduate from the Duntroon Military College, and Military Cross winner, has been selected to succeed Major G. W. Butter as deputy assistant quartermaster-general in Victoria. He will take up duty early in the new year…’

He continued in this role until the war was concluded.

On 4 September 1920, the engagement between Jack Locke and Miss Violet Rechner was announced in Victorian newspapers. This was soon followed by Jack’s appointment as brigade-major in charge of the headquarters of the 18th Brigade at Ballarat. The role was an extensive one, with authority over the citizen forces and cadet corps across the Western District. It was commented at the time that he had already proved to be ‘one of the smartest’ administrators with the 3rd Military District, and that he was ‘an officer with an excellent record both for valor on active service and administrative qualities…’

After an engagement of eight months, the wedding of Jack Locke and Violet Rechner was celebrated at St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Dandenong Road, East St Kilda, on 13 May 1921. The bride, in a ‘tailored cream costume of gabardine and cashmere de soie’ was given away by her mother. She was wearing a diamond solitaire ring that had been a gift from Jack. In a nice touch, the Matron-of-honour was Jack’s sister, Mollie.

The Locke’s returned to Ballarat, where Jack continued his work with the 18th Brigade. It was at Ballarat that their daughter, Patricia Joan, was born at Nurse Murphy’s Private Hospital on 2 March 1922.

During his staff appointment in Ballarat, Jack became a regular on the local golf courses. With the pressures of work, it was important that he have a sporting outlet. His love of golf saw him become a member of the Ballarat Golf Club.

In 1924, Jack was given the opportunity to undertake advanced training at Sandhurst Military Academy at Camberley in Surrey, England. After a Civic Farewell tendered by the Mayor of Ballarat, Councillor A. Levy, in November, Jack, along with Violet and Patricia Joan, sailed for England.

Upon returning to Australia in early 1927, Jack was appointed General Staff Officer with the 2nd Military District Base in Sydney. It was in the Sydney suburb of Kensington, on 17 June 1929, that their son, Anthony MacAvoy, was born.

Several staff appointments followed over the years leading up to the Second World War – he was brigade major to the 2nd Infantry Brigade in Melbourne from 1933 until 1935. From there the family moved to Hobart, where Jack was a General Service Officer to field troops of the 6th Military District at the Anglesea Barracks between 1935 and 1937. Another appointment as GSO to the 3rd Division in 1937, brought the family back to Melbourne.

It was during May 1937, that Jack was made the recipient of a Coronation Medal. He was one of just 2000 Victorian citizens to be honoured.

As it turned out, timing was everything…during both Melbourne appointments, Jack was actually close at hand for the deaths of his parents. Samuel Locke died on 19 September 1934, and then Bessie died on 4 October 1938. By that time, Jack had been promoted to lieutenant-colonel. They had also taken up residence in the family home at 8 Charlotte Place.

After World War II broke out, Jack was promoted to the rank of colonel and took up an appointment on the General Staff of Eastern Command at Victoria Barracks in Melbourne. On 4 July 1941, he enlisted for active duty in the 2nd AIF and took up command of the 2nd Australian Armoured Brigade.

Over the ensuing five years, Jack held a number of important positions: in 1942 he commanded the 2nd Cavalry Division and the 2nd Motor Division; in 1943 he was commander of the 3rd Australian Armoured Division, and the Administration Northern Territory Force; he also took on the role as chairman of the War Establishment Investigating Committee Land Headquarters. From 1944 until his discharge and retirement on 17 December 1947, Jack was Chairman of the Post-War Army Planning Committee.

When St Patrick’s College celebrated their Golden Jubilee in October 1943, it was noted with pride that the school had a ‘splendid record among old students who have served in the defence forces,’ but, they especially recognised Jack Locke as the ‘greatest among their number.’ Jack was also intensely proud of his former school, and he maintained a lifelong connection with SPC through the Old Collegians’ Association, school Prize Nights and cadets.

Even in retirement, Jack Locke was still active on behalf of his comrades. In early 1953 an acrimonious debate broke out between the RSL and Legion of Ex-Servicemen and Women, which had been formed in 1944, over the correct structure of ANZAC Day observance. During an interview, Jack outlined his views that he believed were ‘in keeping with the spirit of the day,’ he came under attack from opponents, in particular John H. Kinnear, who was president of the Balwyn sub-branch of the RSL.

Jack felt the correct observance of ANZAC Day should be along the following lines: —
(1) The Dawn Service— an individual way of paying honour to those who gave their lives. Women should be represented, because many nursing sisters paid the supreme sacrifice.
(2) The march in the morning.
(3) Commemoration service following the march.
(4) Celebration of the day with sport, opening, of hotels and clubs beginning at noon.

He was also very clear that there should be no exploitation of the day.

After being dismissed by Kinnear as an “old man” who was allegedly not a member of the RSL, there were a number of vocal supporters who added their views on the situation. In a letter written to the editor of The Age newspaper, “D. G. D.” of St Kilda pointed out the absurdity of Kinnear’s argument:

‘…Whatever the differences of opinion on the observance, of ANZAC Day which may exist between Cr. J. Kinnear and Major-General W. J. M. Locke, M.C., it is almost - laughable to think that Cr. Kinnear should so impudently discount Major-General Locke's comments by saying they are of "no significance" because "they come from a man who is over 60 and who is apparently not connected with R.S.L." The implications, however, are serious. Cr. Kinnear is not entitled to take such an attitude towards Major-General Locke, who won the M.C. on Gallipoli as a subaltern, and was wounded. He saw it through from the landing. He is reported to have joined the R.S.L. in 1918, so must be almost a foundation member. After long service in the forces, he was honourably retired with his present rank. Surely few people are more qualified to express an opinion on ANZAC Day observance than this gentleman, whose views Cr. Kinnear so cheaply calls "of no significance," because he is over 60. I find it hard to believe that Cr. Kinnear's remarks represent the official viewpoint of the Balwyn sub-branch, of which he is apparently a vice-president…’

Jack’s views had many supporters – including the president of the “Thirtyniners” Association, Mr J. P. Byrne, who called on the government to hold a plebiscite into the matter.

But, it was a letter from Helena Cass, of Melbourne, who, in defending Jack Locke, showed the deep affection and respect for the original ANZACs,

‘…The spirit of ANZAC is to fight for the right and to protect the old and the weak. How far ANZAC Day in Victoria has departed from this tradition is made clear in recent letters to "The Age" by the vice-president of the Balwyn R.S.L. sub-branch. These followed a published interview with Major-General Locke, who pleaded for the spirit of ANZAC as it was known to the original men of ANZAC. His heartening words were those of a soldier, of a fighting man, and of one who had been at Gallipoli all through the campaign. General Locke also spoke of the part that women played, and this is, perhaps. the touchstone of the front-line soldier, who knows the bravery of women on active service. The Balwyn vice-president's reply to this interview was a complete and unabashed exposure of the R.S.L.'s attitude. He stated that as General Locke had been at Gallipoli he must be over 60 years of age, and therefore his words carried no weight. The R.S.L. has made no repudiation of this official's statement or of his opinions, and, in another letter, he says he has had support. Will the president of the Victorian R.S.L. (Mr. Wilson) give this official's war record, together with his own, and that of each member of the State executive, and particularly any Gallipoli service, so that the general public and all ex-servicemen and women may judge what right they have to dictate to men of Anzac and to publicly deride original ANZACs?...’

The debate continued for several months, which clearly showed that there was a division within the veteran community. The changes that Jack Locke proposed did not come into effect for many years. It was not until 1966 that the afternoon of ANZAC Day was opened up for entertainment and sport – but the changes were eventually made, which perhaps shows that Jack’s view was the correct one.

By 1954, Jack’s health began to deteriorate. He had been suffering from hypertension for many years, and duodenal ulcers (due to his WWI service) had become a problem. As a consequence, he was granted TPI (Totally and Permanently Incapacitated) status. Arteriosclerosis also became a growing concern. The retained bullet in his shoulder seems to have clearly caused significant issues.

Nevertheless, Jack continued to enjoy playing lawn bowls, gardening, and his membership of the Navy, Army and Airforce Club.

On 31 March 1962, Jack was admitted to the Repatriation General Hospital at Heidelberg following a stroke that left him suffering significant paralysis. He died from cerebral thrombosis on 3 April 1962. He was buried three days later in the St Kilda Cemetery with his parents, Samuel and Bessie.