Remembering William Jackson
The youngest Australian to be awarded the Victoria Cross
The youngest Australian to be awarded the Victoria Cross
By Krista Schade
John William Alexander Jackson was born on 13 September 1897 on 'Glengower' Station at Gunbar.
On February 15, 1915 William Jackson enlisted in the Australian lnfantry Forces in the first group of volunteers from Gunbar. William was just 17 years old, at the time of his enlistment.
On August 20 he was landed at Gallipoli and fought at Kaiakij Aghala (Hill 60). On April 10, 1916 Jackson's division took over a forward position in the eastern Armentieres section of the Western Front. On the night of 25 June 1916 the events took place which won the Victoria Cross for the young 18-year-old soldier from Gunbar.
His commendation read; “(Private Jackson) was returning from a successful raid, when several members of the party were seriously wounded by shell fire in No Man's Land. Private Jackson returned safely, handed over a prisoner, and immediately went back under the heaviest shell fire, and assisted in bringing in a wounded man. He went out again, and assisted a sergeant to bring in another wounded man. Then a shell blew off Jackson's arm, and rendered the sergeant unconscious. Private Jackson returned to the trenches, obtained assistance, and went out to look for two wounded comrades. His work was always marked by the greatest coolness and bravery. He set a splendid example of pluck and determination.”
William Jackson remains the youngest Australian to be awarded the Victoria Cross and his was the first VC to be won by an Australian on the Western Front.
The Grazier of September 22, 1916 reported the award. “Private William Jackson is the oldest son of Mr John Jackson, of Gunbar. He was born on the 13th September, 1897, at Glengower, Gunbar, and is consequently not quite 19 years of age. His mother's maiden name was Adelaide Ann McFarlane, and she, too, was a native of Gunbar, where the young soldier spent all his life, prior to enlisting. His father is a native of Sydney. Mrs Jackson, his mother, died about eleven years ago. The young hero's full name is John William Alexander Jackson, but he was always known as Wm. Jackson. Both his father's and his mother's people are well known about Gunbar, and the district can fairly lay claim to the recipient of the greatest of all military honors as a district boy. Private Jackson is a fine specimen of the Australian youth, physically, and prior to volunteering, he had a local reputation for strength and reckless daring.”
The Town celebrated his return with a crowd of cheering locals awaiting his disembarkment at Hay Railway Station. Private Jackson was taken in the Mayor’s motor car to the first of a series of events held in his honor. He dined at Tattersall’s hotel as the guest of Council and various local dignatories and members of his family, before a reception at Federal Hall.
One speaker is recorded as saying “Bill was not looking for a VC that night; he was looking for a cobber.” Private William had continued to venture into No Man’s Land even after receiving his own injury.
The postwar years were hard on this brave man. After a variety of jobs, he moved to Melbourne in 1953. He died in the Repatriation Hospital, Heidelberg, aged 61.
Originally published in The Riverine Grazier, September 14, 2022.
The importance of the Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest and most prestigious award of the British honours system. It is awarded for valour "in the presence of the enemy" to members of the British Armed Forces and may be awarded posthumously.
The VC was introduced on 29 January 1856 by Queen Victoria to honour acts of valour during the Crimean War. Since then, the medal has been awarded 1,358 times to 1,355 individual recipients.
Only 15 medals, of which 11 to members of the British Army and 4 to members of the Australian Army, have been awarded since the Second World War.
The traditional explanation of the source of the metal from which the medals are struck is that it derives from a Russian cannon captured at the siege of Sevastopol. However, research has indicated another origin for the material.
The historian John Glanfield has established that the metal for most of the medals made since December 1914 came from two Chinese cannons and that there is no evidence of Russian origin. Because of its rarity, the VC is highly prized.
Beginning with the Centennial of Confederation in 1967, Canada, followed in 1975 by Australia and New Zealand, developed their own national honours systems. They are unique awards of each honours system recommended, assessed, gazetted and presented by each country.
A single company of jewellers, Hancocks & Co, has been responsible for the production of every VC awarded since its inception.
The decoration is a bronze cross pattée, bearing the crown of Saint Edward surmounted by a lion, and the inscription "for valour". The cross is suspended by a ring from a seriffed "V" to a bar ornamented with laurel leaves, through which the ribbon passes. The reverse of the suspension bar is engraved with the recipient's name, rank, number and unit. On the reverse is a circular panel on which the date of the act for which it was awarded is engraved in the centre.
