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The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland”

Died on this date – 14th January…… Charles Thomas Jacobsen was born at Maryborough, Victoria on 20th September, 1888.

He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 25th September, 1914 as a 26 year old, single, Farrier from care of Mrs P. Jacobsen, Bourke Street, Maryborough, Victoria when he enlisted at Pontville, Tasmania. Charles Jacobsen was a resident of King Island, Tasmania at the time of enlistment.

Private Charles Thomas Jacobsen, Service number 1053, embarked from Melbourne, Victoria on HMAT Ceramic (A40) on 22nd December, 1914 with the 15th Infantry Battalion “G” Company.

On 12th April, 1915 Private Jacobsen proceeded to join M.E.F. (Mediterranean Expeditionary Force) at Gallipoli Peninsula.

Private Charles Thomas Jacobsen was wounded in action at Gallipoli on 8th August, 1915. He was admitted to No. 4 Field Ambulance at Anzac on 8th August, 1915 then transferred to Clearing Station the same day.

From the 15th Battalion War Diary:

Casualties for the Operation of 8th August, 1915 were 100 Other Ranks killed; 7 Officers listed as Wounded Missing & 95 Other Ranks listed as Wounded Missing. 3 Officers wounded & 185 Other Ranks wounded.

He was transferred to Hospital Ship Dongola on 9th August, 1915 with bullet wound/s to right Leg amputated & arrived at Alexandria on 13th August, 1915. Private Jacobsen was admitted to 17th General Hospital, Alexandria from Dardanelles on 14th August, 1915 with G.S.W. Arm - severe & right Leg amputated.  He embarked from Alexandria for England on 19th August, 1915 on Hospital Ship Dongola.

Private Jacobsen was admitted to No. 1 Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield, Middlesex, England on 13th April, 1916 (as per Hospital Admissions form however the Casualty Form – Active Service recorded he was admitted on 31st May, 1916) with G.S.W. Right Leg – amputated middle 1/3  right thigh.

[According to Medical Report (below) Private Jacobsen had been admitted to Hospital at Wandsworth & was there in February, 1916 but this is not listed on his Casualty Form Active Service.  There is a gap from when he embarked from Alexandria on 19th August, 1915 until he was admitted to Harefield on 13th April, 1916.]

A Medical Report on an Invalid was completed on Private Charles Jacobson on 25th July, 1916 at No. 1 Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield. His disability was listed as Amputation middle 1/3 Right Thigh which had originated on 8th August, 1915 at Gallipoli through G.S.W to Right Leg while on Active Service.  The officer in charge of the medical case recommended that Private Jacobsen be discharged as permanently unfit & a change to Australia. The Medical Board agreed on 1st August, 1916 that Private C. T. Jacobsen was permanently unfit for general service & unfit permanently for Home Service.

He was admitted to No. 2 Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Southall on 23rd October, 1916 with GSW Right Thigh. The Hospital Admissions form recorded “Stump quite healed. Amputation middle 1/3 thigh. Wounded Aug 8th 1915 Suvla Bay. Leg subblied (?) Walking well.”  Private Jacobsen was discharged to furlo from 21st December, 1916 to 15th January, 1917 & was to return to 2nd Auxiliary Hospital, Southall. Private Jacobsen was discharged from No. 2 Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Southall on 14th January, 1917 for return to Australia.

The following letter was written by Private Charles Thomas Jacobsen on 13th January, 1917 from 17 Ivy Cottages, Hillingdon, Middlesex, England:

My Dear Mother,

            Just a note to say I am leaving England tomorrow Jan 14 for Australia & all I ask of you is should anything happen to me to draw my money from the Commonwealth Savings Bank which is left payable to you at my Death & send £20 (twenty pounds) to the one I am leaving here in England who (should I live) I intend making my wife. So I hope you don’t fail to carry out my only desire & send it to this address

            Miss R. M. Reves

            17 Ivy Cottages

            Hillingdon

            Middx

            England

Hoping this finds you all in the Best of Health with fondest Love from us Both  I Remain Your Loving Son

                                                                                                                        Chas

On 14th January, 1917 Private Jacobsen embarked from Southampton, England on Hospital Ship Kanowna for Australia for discharge due to Amputation middle right Thigh.

Private Charles Thomas Jacobsen died on 14th January, 1917 at Sea on board Hospital Ship Kanowna from Uraemia.

No mention is made in the Service Record file of Private Charles Thomas Jacobsen regarding his burial. As he is commemorated on the Hollybrook Memorial, Southampton, Hampshire, England it will be assumed that he was buried at Sea. Those on the Hollybrook Memorial, Southampton, Hampshire, England are remembered there as they have no grave. His death is acknowledged by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.  (Note: The Death Notice placed in Victorian newspaper by his family stated “Buried in English Channel”)

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)

https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/g---j.html

The King Island News reported on 7 February 1917 that many expressions of regret were made in Currie, King Island during the week when the news became known that Private C. T. Jacobsen was dead.

Most residents are well aware that Pte. Jacobsen was wounded at Lone Pine, Gallipoli, on 8th August, 1915, as a result of which his right leg was amputated above the knee. He was also wounded in the right arm. On being sent to England he was admitted to the 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth, and later to the Australian Hospital, Harefield, England, from which places he has written from time to time cheerful letters regarding himself and bright hopes of returning to Australia early in the present year. When his last letter was received he stated that he had received his artificial leg and hoped to be home by the end of January. Poor Charlie! he was in-deed Home at the end of that month, and we feel sure that all King Island hearts go out in sympathy to his parents. Mr. and Mrs. P. Jacobsen, of Maryborough (Vic.) and relatives in their sad bereavement. Born at Maryborough (Vic.), Pte. Jacobsen had reached the age of 29 years, most of which were spent in his native town. He came to King Island about eight years ago to help Mr. Albert Bertram in clearing the property known as " The Chalet." Later on, his brother, Mr A. C. Jacobsen, commenced business in Currie and Pte. Jacobsen was associated with him until he enlisted, shortly after the outbreak of war.

Pte. Jacobsen was a well-known figure in sporting circles, and his prowess on the football field and racing field will long be remembered. Of a genial disposition, he made numerous friends, who deplore the loss they have sustained.

Before closing, the Municipal Council meeting on Saturday the warden made reference to the late Pte. Jacobsen, and remarked on the high esteem in which he was held by the people on the island generally. It was resolved that the council clerk write to his parents in sympathy, for their sad loss. The resolution was carried by the councillors rising from their seats.

Source: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article212039148