JACKSON, Melvyn Kenneth
| Service Number: | SX4719 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 8 June 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/6th Field Ambulance |
| Born: | Moonta, SA, 18 April 1918 |
| Home Town: | Rosewater (Greytown), Port Adelaide Enfield, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Moonta Mines Public School |
| Occupation: | Packer |
| Died: | 23 May 2004, aged 86 years, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Cheltenham Cemetery, South Australia |
| Memorials: | Moonta Mines Public School Honour Roll WW2, Ottoway Congregational Church WW2 Honour Roll |
World War 2 Service
| 8 Jun 1940: | Involvement Lance Corporal, SX4719 | |
|---|---|---|
| 8 Jun 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Lance Corporal, SX4719, 2nd/6th Field Ambulance | |
| 8 Jun 1940: | Enlisted Adelaide, SA | |
| 27 Nov 1945: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Lance Corporal, SX4719, 2nd/6th Field Ambulance | |
| 27 Nov 1945: | Discharged | |
| Date unknown: | Honoured Military Medal | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Woodville High School
Melvyn Kenneth Jackson, father of his next of kin Samual Jackson, was born in Moonta, South Australia in 1918 the 18th of April. His hometown was Rosewater (Greytown), Port Adelaide Enfield, South Australia and he learnt at Moonta Mines Public School. He was 5’9 with light brown hair and blue eyes. His occupation as a Packer (forwarding). He was just 22 years old when he enlisted on 8/6/40. Three days later he reported for duty, marching from R.R.D and primarily did training at the Woodside Barracks, South Australia. He embarked on the 29th of December 1940 to the Middle East, disembarking 23rd of March.
A few months later that same year he served in New Guinea, embarking on the 7th of August. He returned to Australia with Malaria in January 1943 and was treated in hospital before a few months in base. He embarked again for New Guinea 9th of August 1943. He remained in New Guinea until January 1944. He served overseas once again in 1945 arriving in Morotai 8th June 194,5 soon after he went to Balikpapan disembarking there 22nd June where he remained until November.
He was awarded a Military Medal for an act of courage and bravery in the Battle of Balikpapan 1st July 1945. His service records write that he was in charge of a stretcher squad attached to the ⅖ Australian Commando Squadron. “On the evening of the 1st July 1945 the squadron came under fire from strong enemy positions five miles north west of BALIKPAPAN, and was pinned down suffering casualties. Lance Corporal JACKSON assisted in dressing the wounded and he and his squad brought them to safety through heavy machine gun fire. On the morning of 2nd July 1945 he went forward with one bearer along the feature exposed to and covered by enemy small arms and mortar fire, to dress and collected wounded.” “The carry for each casualty was not only dangerous but over difficult terrain, taking two and one half hours to reach the jeep head situated two miles away. Later that same day and night, and again on the 3rd July 1945 he personally directed and assisted the collection of further casualties.” The dedication to his job was not only brave, but heroic and definitely deserving of the praise that Field Ambulances got in World War 2.
He took a ship called the HMTS CHESHIRE to mainland Australia 12/11/45 and was discharged 27/11/45 after marching to ‘SA’ GDD - General Details Depot which was a unit to process soldiers returning from overseas for discharge.
He passed away 23 May 2004 and is buried at Cheltenham Cemetery.