Albert+Jacka+2

Albert Jacka Albert Jacka was born on the 10th of January 1893 at Layard near Winchealsea,Victoria,Australia. He had quite a few important important roles through out his extroadinary life. He was a merchant, a soldier, an army officer, a local goverment officer and a local goverment head.

Albert Jacka enlisted on the 18th of September 1914 as a private in the 14th battalion, Australian Imperial Force. His battalion embarked on the 22nd of December 1914. He and his unit trained in Egypt for two months before landing in Anzac Cove,Gallipoli, Peninsula. Early morning on the 19th of May 1915 the Turkish army launched a counter attack along practically the whole Anzac line. That's was when Albert Jacka put his whole life on the line for the sake of his country. He rifled five turks and bayoneted two. For this extreme gallantry Albert Jacka earned the Military Cross and the Victoria Cross. After that Albert Jacka quickly earned a reputation as a great soldier. Albert Jacka recieved 500 pounds and a gold watch which the prominent Melbourne buisness and sporting identity John Wren had promised to the first Victoria Cross winner. Albert Jacka was instantly a hero. His image was used posters and even magazine covers. Earlier in 1917 the Germans had retired to the Hindenberg line. On the 8th of April 1917 Albert Jacka led a reconnaissance party near Bullecourt, France to inspect enemy defences before an allied attack against the new German line. He got through in two places, reported back, then went out again to supervise the laying of the tapes to guide the infantry. The work was almost done when two Germans loomed up. Realizing that they would see the tapes he knew that they should be captured. He pulled out his picture but it misfired so he captured them by hand. For this action he was awarded a bar for his Military Cross.

On the 17th of January 1921 Albert Jacka married Frances Veronica Carey at the St Mary's Catholic Church, St Kilda. Albert and Frances settled in St Kilda and later on they adopted a girl.

Albert Jacka fell ill and entered Caufield Military Hospital on the 18th of December 1931. He sadly passed away on the 17th of January 1932 of Chronic Nephritis. At his funeral 6000 sad hearted Australians filed past his grave. From then on Albert Jacka was described as "Australia's greatest front-line soldier."