Monday 20 April 2015

Albert Jacka, have you heard of him? No, didn't think so


Today I am going to tell you a bit about a fella names Albert Jacka, let me guess you have no idea who he is well I also had no idea who he was till he was mentioned on a tv program I was watching recently.
Albert Jacka, VC, MC & Bar, was born on the 10th January 1893 and was the first Australian to be awarded the Victoria Cross during the first world war, the highest the highest decoration for gallantry "in the face of the enemy" that can be awarded to members of the British and Commonwealth armed forces.
He received the medal for his actions during the Gallipoli Campaign. He later served on the Western Front and was twice further decorated for his bravery.
He was to receive his VC for his actions at Courtney’s Post, on the 19th May 1915 the Turks launched an assault against the Anzac line, capturing a section of the trench on end of which was guarded by Jacka for several minutes he fired warning shots into the trench wall until reinforcements arrived. He then attempted to enter the trench with three others; all but Jacka were either wounded or pinned.

It was then decided that while a feint attack was made from the same end, Jacka would attack from the rear. The party then proceeded to engage the Turks with rifle fire, throwing in two bombs as Jacka skirted around to attack from the flank. He climbed out onto "no man's land", entering the trench via theparapet. In the resulting conflict, Jacka shot five Turkish soldiers and bayoneted two others, forcing the remainder to flee the trench; he then held the trench alone for the remainder of the night. Jacka’s platoon commander, Lieutenant Crabbe, informed him the following morning that he would be recommended for his bravery.

Upon the conclusion of the war, Jacka returned to Australia and entered business; establishing the electrical goods importing and exporting business Roxburgh, Jacka & Co. Pty Ltd. He was later elected to the local council, where he became the mayor of the City of St Kilda. Jacka never fully recovered from the multiple wounds he sustained during his war service, and died at the age of 39.

10 comments:

  1. Hi

    Well I had certainly heard of his exploits at Gallipoli and his VC.
    What I didn't know was after the war.
    Terrible to think he died so young as a result of his wounds.
    Thanks for that information
    Cheers
    Colin

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  2. What a hero! And that brings to my mind those kids that wanted to do a terror attack on Anzac Day. We have wood chippers to deal with scum like them.

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    Replies
    1. Yes he was a hero and it's terrible he died so young

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  3. That is quite an interesting story and history lesson. Thanks for sharing it because I had not ever heard of him before. :-)

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    1. I am sure you are not alone I think most people would not have heard of him

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  4. Dearest Jo-Anne,
    No, honestly I did not know about him either... Sad for having to die at age 39 as a result of wounds never having healed.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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    1. Yes I thought it was sad also, and want to bring to light more about those who fought and died even the ones who didn't die straight away but later from their wounds

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  5. Oh that was young to die. Interesting about him.

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