28 Facts About Albert Jacka

Albert Jacka later served on the Western Front and was twice more decorated for his bravery.

Albert Jacka was born on a dairy farm near Winchelsea, Victoria, on 10 January 1893, the fourth of seven children to Nathaniel Jacka and his English-born wife Elizabeth.

Albert Jacka's family moved to Wedderburn, Victoria, when he was five years old, where he attended the local school before working with his father as a haulage contractor.

Albert Jacka was working for the Victorian State Forests Department at Heathcote when the First World War broke out.

Albert Jacka's work included fencing, fire break clearing and tree planting.

Albert Jacka is one of twenty employees shown on the Forests Department Roll of Honour.

Albert Jacka enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 18 September 1914, with the rank of private.

Albert Jacka was assigned to the 14th Battalion, 4th Brigade, 1st Division and finished his training at Broadmeadows Camp.

Albert Jacka fought in the Gallipoli campaign that started on 25 April 1915, when his new division landed at Anzac Cove on the 26th in the Dardanelles, fighting against Turkish defenders on a narrow beach and in the steep ravines and hills above.

The trenches held by the 14th Battalion on 19 May 1915 became known as Courtney's Post, which was where Albert Jacka was awarded the Victoria Cross.

For several minutes he fired warning shots into the trench wall until reinforcements arrived, after which he attempted to enter the trench with three others; all but Albert Jacka were either wounded or pinned.

The party then proceeded to engage the Turks with rifle fire, throwing in two bombs as Albert Jacka skirted around to attack from the flank.

Lance-Corporal Albert Jacka, while holding a portion of our trench with four other men, was heavily attacked.

Albert Jacka had just completed a reconnaissance, and had gone to his dug-out when two Germans appeared at its entrance and rolled a bomb down the doorway, killing two of his men.

Every member of the platoon was wounded, including Albert Jacka who was wounded seven times; including an injury from a bullet that passed through his body under his right shoulder, and two head wounds.

Fifty Germans were captured and the line was retaken; Albert Jacka was personally credited with killing between twelve and twenty Germans during the engagement.

Albert Jacka was awarded the Military Cross for his actions at Pozieres, although he was originally recommended for the Distinguished Service Order.

Albert Jacka led his platoon against a large number of the enemy, who had counter-attacked the battalion on his right.

Many present at the time, as well as many historians since, have voiced the opinion that Albert Jacka deserved a second VC for the Pozieres action.

Albert Jacka penetrated the wire at two places, reported back, then went out again to supervise the laying of tapes to guide the assault parties; in the process he single-handedly captured a two-man German patrol.

Albert Jacka was awarded a Bar to his MC for this action.

Albert Jacka carried out a daring reconnaissance of the enemy's position and obtained most valuable information.

Albert Jacka was recommended for the Distinguished Service Order a second time for this feat, but again it was not granted.

In May 1918, Albert Jacka was finally removed from the conflict when, outside the village of Villers-Bretonneux, he was badly gassed and a missile passed through his trachea.

Albert Jacka was evacuated to No 20 Casualty Clearing Station at Vignacourt, where it was thought that he would not recover.

Albert Jacka returned to Australia on 6 September 1919 and his AIF appointment ended on 10 January 1920, when he returned to Melbourne to a hero's welcome.

On 17 January 1921, at St Mary's Catholic Church, St Kilda, Albert Jacka married Frances Veronica Carey, a typist from his office.

On 14 December 1931, Albert Jacka collapsed after a council meeting and was admitted to Caulfield Military Hospital.