Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Born Yens Carl Jensen at Spalding, S.A. to Jens Lawrence Jensen and Louisa Lerich

DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL

26/10/1918. 33 Bn A.I.F. 3082. Private; John JENSEN. Private Jensen has on all occasions distinguished himself by his great gallantry and devotion to duty, He has taken part in 6 Battles since March 30th, and in each has displayed irresistible dash, and utter disregard of personal danger, splendid initiative and courage of the highest order. In addition he has distinguished himself in raids.

In the August operation he did especially good work in charge of Liaison Section; on two occasions he captured German Machine-Guns and Crew in the face of heavy fire, and then fired these guns to great effect. He has always volunteered for any dangerous or difficult tasks, and has always achieved the fullest success.

This man has been on service since 1914. He is an exceptionally keen and enthusiastic soldier, and has always set a magnificent example to the whole of the Battalion.

"I Did My Bit" The Story of Jack Jensen - Private 955 3082

"...John (Jack) Jensen, (Private 955-3082), a 23 year old Bush Worker and Farmer from Wasley in South Australia. Jack enlisted in the 1st Batt of the AIF 10 days after England declared war on Germany. Jack was in the first landing at Gallipoli at 6am on 25 April, 1915. He was injured 10 days later and returned in August and again in October before finally leaving that battlefield on December 14, one week before the final digger was evacuated. He returned to Australia where he convalesced for 9 months at Randwick and Liverpool hospitals in Sydney. During this time he was a strong advocate for the "Yes" side of the Conscription debate. Discharged as medically unfit in January 1916, 6 months later Jack re-enlisted, this time with the 7th Reinforcements of the 33rd Batt. Around this time he received a letter from a Miss Campbell who read his passionate pleas on Conscription. They quickly met and knew instantly that they should be together. Within 6 weeks, however, Jack was off again, this time to France. What followed was a passionate and moving period of correspondence between the young soldier and his Sydney sweetheart. Throughout 1917 and 1918, Jack was to see some of the most brutal warfare ever witnessed on the Western Front as he participated in Ypres, Passchendaele, Messines, Hangard Wood at the Somme and Villiers Brettneaux. The young Jack experienced what we know today as post traumatic stress and how he coped with this are movingly shared in his letters home to Fol. With the Armistice signed and the war behind them, we would think that the young couple could be reunited and fulfil their promise, made over 2 years before..." - SOURCE (www.anzacslestweforget.com)

"JENSEN, John, D.C.M., M.M., 1st Batt., 33rd Batt., 1st AIF, September 10 at Yaralia Military Hospital, Concord of Wyona Road, Fendle Hill, dearly beloved husband of Florence F. Jensen. Also late of Mont Street, Quentin Farm 1947, Yenda: late president 1936, Wade Shire, Griffith, aged 58 years. At Rest.

JENSEN, John.- September 10, 1949, dearly beloved brother in law of Alfred Campbell, Moree, and Arthur and Marie Linney, and loved uncle of Arthur and Ruth Linney, Marle and Bill Duvall, Lynette Farnham, Bradley, Geoff and Gloria Linney and George Doubleday, Yenda." - from the Sydney Morning Herald 13 Sep 1949 (nla.gov.au)