Albert Jacka

Albert Jacka (VC, MC and bar) (10 January, 1893–17 January, 1932) was the first Australian to receive the Victoria Cross during the First World War. After the war he became the mayor of St Kilda.

Jacka enlisted as a private in the Australian Imperial Force in September 1914. He fought at the Battle of Gallipoli, landing with the 14th Battalion, 4th Brigade, at Anzac Cove on 26 April, 1915.

Jacka won his Victoria Cross during the Turkish attack at Anzac on 19 May when he was stationed at Courtney's Post. Turkish infantry seized a section of the Australian front trench. Jacka participated in the initial failed attempt to drive the Turks out. For the second attempt, three men distracted the Turks while Jacka climbed out of the trench into no man's land and attacked them from behind. Leaping amongst them, he shot five and bayoneted two. His citation for the award reads:

The grave of Albert Jacka, VC, in St Kilda cemetery, Melbourne.

On 19/20 May 1915, at "Courtney's Post", Gallipoli, Turkey, Lance Corporal Jacka, while holding a portion of our trench with four other men, was heavily attacked. When all except himself were killed or wounded, and the trench was rushed and occupied by seven Turks, Lance-Corporal Jacka most gallantly attacked them single handed, killing the whole party, five by rifle and two with the bayonet.

Jacka was not actually promoted to lance corporal until 27 August. He was immediately promoted to full corporal and then to sergeant on 12 September. By the end of the Gallipoli campaign he was company sergeant major and he was commissioned as a second lieutenant on 29 April, 1916.

Pozieres to be done

In May 1918 Jacka was gassed and badly wounded and by the time he was rehabilitated the war was long over. He returned to Australia on 6 September, 1919 and was demobilised on 10 January, 1920.

Jacka was elected to the St Kilda council and later became the mayor. He suffered from nephritis and died on 17 January, 1932. He was given a military funeral and his coffin was carried by eight Victoria Cross winners.

Albert Jacka's Victoria Cross is displayed at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.