By NOEL MURPHY
TORQUAY RSL has backed the bid for Geelong’s World War I hero Albert Jacka to be awarded two more Victoria Crosses.
Jacka, who earned a VC for bravery at Gallipoli, has long been deemed as worthy of two more for gallantry at The Somme but overlooked by his superiors because they didn’t get along with him.
Last week, the Independent reported Captain Jacka’s family’s call for a review of his medal count. Local MPs Richard Marles and Sarah Henderson, plus Geelong mayor Darryn Lyons, backed the call.
VC winner Ben Roberts-Smith, cited for bravery in Afghanistan, recently said anyone who knew anything about World War I knew Jacka should have been awarded two more Victoria Crosses.
Australia’s official WWI correspondent/historian CEW Bean wrote the same in his records.
Torquay RSL sub-branch president Ian Gilbank this week offered his support as well.
“I read with interest the Independent’s report last week on Albert Jacka and offer Torquay RSL sub-branch’s moral support to his family in their quest to have his service recognised with two more Victoria Crosses” he said.
“Our club has a banner of a soldier in silhouette, who we have affectionately named Albert in honour of Albert Jacka.”
Mr Jacka’s family said the Anzac centenary year was the right time to review his case.
“He certainly should have got more, that’s quite true. It’s an injustice that should be remedied,” said Maree Krohn, nee Jacka, whose father was Mr Jacka’s cousin.
“He was astonishingly brave and very, very much protective of the men he led. He was revered by the men under him and he thumbed his nose at officers and that wouldn’t have gone down particularly well.”
Mrs Krohn said the Jacka family would be “absolutely delighted” if his case was reviewed and further VCs awarded. Albert Jacka was Australias’s first Victoria Cross recipient. He was 22 when he landed at Gallipoli and his actions at Courtney’s Post saw him awarded the Victoria Cross.
Jacka went on from Gallipoli to fight on the Western Front, leading his men through the Battle for Messines Ridge. Badly injured twice, he was regarded as showing outstanding bravery throughout his time at war, and was twice recommended for Distinguished Service Medals and awarded two Military Crosses.
