Historical information

Albert Jacka VC was born in Layard, near Winchelsea Victoria, on 10 January 1893. He was the first person in the AIF to be awarded the Victoria Cross, which he received for the first of many acts of heroism in WW I. After the war, on 17 January 1921, he married Frances Veronica Carey at St Mary's Catholic Church, St Kilda. They settled at St Kilda and later adopted a daughter. In September 1929. He was elected to the St Kilda Council and became mayor in 1930. He died on 17 January 1932 of chronic nephritis. Nearly 6000 people filed past his coffin when it lay in state in Anzac House. The funeral procession to St Kilda cemetery was led by over 1000 returned soldiers and was flanked by thousands of onlookers. He was buried with full military honours in the Presbyterian section. Eight Victoria Cross winners were his pallbearers. A memorial plaque and sculpture for his grave was paid for by public subscription and £1195 was raised towards buying his widow a house.
The photograph was taken during a St Kilda Historical Society tour of St Kilda cemetery on 26 November 1978

Physical description

Colour Polaroid photograph

Inscriptions & markings

Bus Trip 26/11/78. Jacka's Grave. SKHS 00761.