Albert Jacka

Albert Jacka
Captain Albert Jacka c. 1920
Nickname(s)	Bert
Born	(1893-01-10)10 January 1893 Winchelsea, Victoria
Died	17 January 1932(1932-01-17) (aged 39) St. Kilda, Victoria
Allegiance	Australia
Service/branch	Australian Imperial Force
Years of service	1914–20
Rank	Captain
Unit	14th Battalion
Battles/wars	First World War Gallipoli Campaign Battle of Chunuk Bair Western Front Battle of the Somme Battle of Pozières Battle of Messines Battle of Polygon Wood
Awards	Victoria Cross Military Cross & Bar
Other work	Mayor of the City of St Kilda (1930–31)

First World War

Albert Jacka, VC, MC & Bar (10 January 1893 – 17 January 1932) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for gallantry "in the face of the enemy" that can be awarded to members of the British and Commonwealth armed forces. Jacka was the first Australian to be decorated with the VC during the First World War, receiving the medal for his actions during the Gallipoli Campaign. He later served on the Western Front and was twice further decorated for his bravery.

Upon the conclusion of the war, Jacka returned to Australia and entered business; establishing the electrical goods importing and exporting business Roxburgh, Jacka & Co. Pty Ltd. He was later elected to the local council, where he became the mayor of the City of St Kilda. Jacka never fully recovered from the multiple wounds he sustained during his war service, and died at the age of 39.

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 (ńee Kettle). His 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. He was working for the Victorian State Forests Department when the First World War broke out.

Jacka enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 18 September 1914, with the rank of private. He was assigned to the 14th Battalion, 4th Brigade, 1st Division and finished his training at Broadmeadows Camp.