Impression sketch of
Lance Corporal Albert Jacka -
by Jamie. See the originals at: http://www.theage.com.au/news/book-reviews/jacka-vc-australian-hero/2006/09/08/1157222319230.html
In the Victoria province of Australia,
Loving parents, Elizabeth and Nathanial Jacka
Moved their children of seven, from
A dairy far family of Winchelsea -
To a new life of Wedderbum.
Of their seven children the fourth,
Albert, was five at the time - after school
He joined he father as haulage
Contractor – all seemed set
Until aged 21, a war broke.
Albert Jacka, in support of home
Country, joined the AIF September 1914.
Now Private Jacka in 14th Battalion,
Was trained at Broadmeadows
Camp; land given by a patriot.
The country of Turkey, declaring
Allegiance to Germany, sent 14th Battalion
To Egypt port of Alexandria -
Ten more weeks of training
Merged with New Zealanders.
Albert Jacka having reached rank
Of Lance Corporal - somewhere in process
In their training - was then sent
With fellow troops out from
Egypt to the Dardenelles.
With fellow troops out from
Egypt to the Dardenelles.
With the original intention for them,
To defend the Suez Canal, New orders came
For the New Zealand and Australian
Division; Private Jacka joined
The Gallipoli campaign.
Anzac Lance Corporal Jacka,
In defence of the New Zealand & Australian
Trenches, known as Courtney’s Post,
with other men was under orders
To guard their given position.
The Turkish commanders,
Faced with the established line of Anzacs
From their cove landings, planned out
A push off peninsula; a plan made
For 19 May, with new men.
German leader Kiazim Pasha,
Of all the Turkish forces, had planned attack
Prior to daybreak - in order to drive
Anzacs from defences, back
Down to the sea’s edge.
Rising up a gentle slope
From the Turkish side, the Australian position
Was well covered by undergrowth -
Yet Turk's reached the trench
Edge to attack with bombs.
The hour before dawn -19 May -
The Turks attacked the anzac line to gain
A section at Courtney’s Post - Jacka
Fired out warning shots, waiting
For reinforcements arrival.
From his firing bay, Jacka
Saw two officers run forward from cover
Into the occupied trench in order
To drive out Turks - in process
Both officers were killed.
Another officer came up,
Lieutenant Crabbe, to the held position -
Jacka gave warning not to break
From cover - Crabbe asked
If he would take on Turks.
Yes, with support, was his
Reply – with three men the four of them
Took a corner as three were hit -
In forced retreat Lance Corporal
Jacka formed a new plan.
Alone, he tracked back
Through trenches behind Turks
- when
He was ready, another party
Jumped to action, to throw
Bombs to distract Enemy.
In creation of noisy disturbance
And smoke, Jacka leapt up across open space
To jump among the Turks - Jacka stood
Face to face with enemy - he shot
Five and bayoneted two more.
The remainder of the Turkish fled
The Anzac thrilled and flushed with adrenalin,
As Lieutenant Crabbe and others
Reached him - Jacka exclaimed,
How he got ‘the beggers.’
By witness of an officer's
Recommendation, Lance Corporal Albert Jacka’s
Citation appeared in London Gazette;
For King’s Award of Victoria Cross,
For Bravery act on 19-20 May.
Lance Corporal Albert Jacka
Was then the first Australian to win Victoria Cross.
As reward, Jacka was to receive
A gold medal and £500 - given
In promise of Mr John Wren.
by Jamie Mann.
Anon.,1915. Australian V.C.
Wins £500. The Daily
Telegraph, [online] 29 July. P.10.
Col.5. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11744429/Daily-Telegraph-July-29-1915.html
[Accessed: 29 July 2015].
Source: File:
Albert Jacka. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. [online] Available at:
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Jacka>
[Accessed: 29 July 2015].
Mann, J., 2015. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann.
[letter] (Personal communication, 29 July 2015).
#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #WW1centenary #worldwarone
#worldwaroneremembered #WW1Australia
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