Jørgen Jensen (VC)
| Jørgen Christian Jensen | |
|---|---|
Corporal Jørgen Jensen, August 1918
|
|
| Born |
15 January 1891 Løgstør, Denmark |
| Died | 31 May 1922 (aged 31) Adelaide, South Australia |
| Buried | West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide |
| Allegiance | Australia |
| Service/branch | Australian Imperial Force |
| Years of service | 1915–18 |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Unit |
10th Battalion (1915–16) 50th Battalion (1916–18) |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
Corporal Jørgen Christian Jensen, VC (15 January 1891 – 31 May 1922) was a Danish-born Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Jensen emigrated to Australia in 1909, becoming a British subject at Adelaide, South Australia, in 1914. A sailor and labourer before World War I, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in March of the following year, serving with the 10th Battalion during the latter stages of the Gallipoli campaign of 1915. After the Australian force withdrew to Egypt, Jensen was transferred to the newly-formed 50th Battalion, and sailed for France with his new unit in June 1916. On the Western Front, he was wounded during the battalion's first serious action, the Battle of Mouquet Farm in August, and only returned to his unit in late January 1917. In April, his battalion attacked the Hindenburg Outpost Line at Noreuil, where his actions resulted in the award of the Victoria Cross.
In June 1917, the 50th Battalion was involved in the Battle of Messines, and the following month, Jensen, now a corporal, was posted to a training unit in the United Kingdom for several months. He returned to his battalion in October, and was promoted to temporary sergeant the following month. In March 1918, the German Spring Offensive was launched, and Jensen fought with his battalion at Dernancourt and Villers-Bretonneux. Shortly after the Second Battle of Villers-Bretonneux, Jensen was on patrol when he received a severe head wound, and was evacuated to the United Kingdom, then repatriated to Australia where he was discharged in Adelaide at the conclusion of the war. Jensen worked as a marine store dealer, and married in 1921, but died the following year of war-caused injuries.
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