Albert Jacka

He fought alone to retake a trench and repel enemy soldiers.

Albert Jacka (1893–1932) was an Australian soldier whose Victoria Cross at Courtney’s Post made him the first Australian to receive the award in the First World War. A member of the 14th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, he fought at Gallipoli and later became a captain on the Western Front. His wartime story extended beyond the celebrated trench action: at Pozières he led a counter-attack that freed captured Australians, and he was wounded repeatedly before gas injuries ended his combat service in 1918.

Born near Winchelsea, Victoria, Jacka worked for the Victorian State Forests Department before enlisting in September 1914. After training in Egypt, his battalion landed at Gallipoli on 26 April 1915 and took up positions at Courtney’s Post. In the early hours of 19 May, Ottoman forces launched a major assault on the Anzac line and broke into a small part of the Australian trench. Jacka was holding the position with four other men. When the others were killed or wounded and the trench was occupied by seven attackers, he attacked alone, killing five with rifle fire and two with the bayonet. He then held the trench until the immediate danger had passed. The deed earned him Australia’s first Great War Victoria Cross and brought rapid promotion.

The 14th Battalion moved to France in 1916. At Pozières in August, German troops overran part of the Australian line. Jacka rallied men and counter-attacked, retaking a trench, freeing a group of Australian prisoners and forcing the surrender of German soldiers. He was severely wounded in the neck and shoulder. He received the Military Cross for Pozières, then a Bar to the decoration for dangerous reconnaissance at Bullecourt in April 1917, where he captured a German officer and his orderly. A sniper wounded him near Ploegsteert Wood on 8 July 1917. He returned to duty and led his battalion in the fighting at Polygon Wood in September. In May 1918, mustard gas near Villers-Bretonneux brought his front-line service to an end.

Jacka returned to Australia in 1919 and was demobilised the following year. He went into business with former battalion comrades and later entered local government, serving on St Kilda Council and as mayor in 1930. He was active in efforts to help unemployed residents, especially returned servicemen. His business failed during the Depression, and his health declined. He died of kidney disease in 1932, aged 39. Thousands attended his lying in state and funeral; eight Victoria Cross recipients carried his coffin. His VC and Military Cross are held by the Australian War Memorial.

Citation summary: For conspicuous bravery at Courtney’s Post on the night of 19–20 May 1915, Jacka attacked seven Ottoman soldiers who had occupied his trench after his four comrades were killed or wounded, killing all seven and holding the position.

Sources: Supplement to the London Gazette, no. 29240, 23 July 1915, p. 7279, Victoria Cross citation for Lance-Corporal Albert Jacka; Australian War Memorial, “Albert Jacka” and “Victoria Cross: Lance Corporal Albert Jacka, 14 Battalion, AIF”; Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Anzac Portal, “Albert (Bert) Jacka”; Kevin Fewster, “Jacka, Albert (1893–1932),” Australian Dictionary of Biography.