Private Jackson Park
Officially opened by Cr Ean Cottle, Mayor on 4th October 2003
Private Jackson, John William Alexander VC Citation: London Gazette, 9 September 1916.
"For most conspicuous bravery. On the return from a successful raid, several members of the raiding party were seriously wounded in No Man's Land by shell fire. Private Jackson got back safely and, after handing over a prisoner whom he had brought in, immediately went out again under a very heavy shell fire and assisted in bringing in a wounded man. He then went out again, and with a sergeant was bringing in another wounded man, when his arm was blown off by a shell and the sergeant was rendered unconscious. He then returned to our trenches, obtained assistance, and went out again to look for his two wounded comrades. He set a splendid example of pluck and determination. His work has always been marked by the greatest coolness and bravery."
On the night of the 25-26 June 1916, Jackson was one of a raiding party which entered German trenches and caused considerable havoc before withdrawing. His citation records subsequent events. Eventually he was evacuated and hospitalised for a very long period but was taken to Buckingham Palace on 18 November 1916 and presented with the VC by King George V. Private Jackson at 18 years became the youngest Australian to win the Victoria Cross. Also it was the first won by an Australian on the Western Front as well as the first by a soldier of the 2nd Division and the only VC awarded to a soldier of the 17th Battalion.
LEST WE FORGET