FitzSimons to speak on Aussie legend

AUTHOR, journalist, and radio and television personality Peter FitzSimons will be in Bendigo to present a talk on his new book The Legend of Albert Jacka on Wednesday 4 December.

The former national rugby union representative and chair of the Australian Republic Movement will tell stories about the young Wedderburn man between 2pm and 3pm.

Joining the Australian Imperial Force at just 21, Jacka was the first Australian soldier to be awarded the Victoria Cross in World War One following outstanding bravery at Gallipoli and, later, the Military Cross on the battlefields of France.

When he enlisted, the young private was assigned to 14th Battalion D Company. By the time they shipped out to Egypt he had been made a Lance Corporal.

On 26 April 1915, 14th Battalion landed at Gallipoli under the command of Brigadier General Monash’s 4th Infantry Brigade.

It was there, on 20 May, that Jacka proved he was ‘the bravest of the brave’: the Turks were gaining ground with a full-scale frontal attack and as his comrades lay dead or dying in the trenches around him, Jacka single-handedly held off the enemy onslaught. The Turks retreated.

Jacka’s efforts won him the Victoria Cross, but his wartime exploits had only just begun. Moving on to France, he battled the Germans at Pozieres and earnt a Military Cross for what historian Charles Bean called “the most dramatic and effective act of individual audacity in the history of the AIF.”

There would be more accolades and adventures before a sniper’s bullet and then gassing at Villers-Bretonneux sent Jacka home.

FitzSimons is a prolific writer and is regarded as one of Australia’s best-selling non-fiction writers.

He has written books about subjects such as Nancy Wake, the shipwreck of the Batavia, Sir John Monash, Breaker Morant, Charles Kingsford Smith and John Eales.

Book sales and signings will be available at the talk. Tickets are free but must be booked via eventbrite.com.au.