Jackson, Edward Mandeville
Edward 'Johnny' Jackson was the teacher at Gungahleen from November 1913, when he succeeded Malcolm Middleton, who had just enlisted. Jackson himself enlisted in August 1915, along with his mate and fellow teacher Harry Landon.
Further biographic details can be found at the ACT Memorial
Teacher-soldiers
At least six Capital Territory teachers enlisted - Alexander Gifford (Tharwa), Sidney Marshall (Cotter), Malcolm Middleton (Gungahleen), Victor Kelly (Gibraltar), Henry ('Harry') Landon (Mulligan's Flat) and Edward ('Johnny') Jackson (Gungahleen).
Landon and Jackson were good mates. At the outbreak of war Landon, born in Bombala, was 25, and Jackson (Goulburn) was 30. Their schools were only a few miles apart and they were both keen and accomplished cricketers – both playing for the newly formed Ainslie Cricket Club.
They enlisted together at Holsworthy on 28th September 1915, and were officially farewelled together at the Municipal Council Chambers, Queanbeyan on 11th October 1915. Before a hearty send-off at the railway station they were each presented with a fountain pen, a watch, and a sheepskin vest.
On 16th January 1916 they embarked in Sydney on RMS Osterley bound for Egypt. A letter from Landon to 'many friends in Queanbeyan and district' written en route was published in the Queanbeyan Age on 18th February. A month later, at Tel-el-Kabir camp (below), Landon chaired a meeting of the Ainslie Cricket Club in Jackson's tent, to respond to a challenge from the Belgian champions, the 'Kultur Club'; they were both selected in the team.
From Egypt their paths diverged. Landon embarked for Marseille on 21 March; Jackson followed on 11 June. Jackson returned to Australia on RMS Orontes on 1 July 1919, Landon – with pneumonia - on HMAT Kanowna on 26th October.
Back home again, in 1920 the two friends partnered in a storekeeping business in Berrima. Sadly, Landon died of pneumonia on 3rd May 1921, and Jackson subsequently moved to Sydney.
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Kul•tur (kʊlˈtur)
n. German.
(in Nazi Germany) German culture, held to be superior and characterized by subordination of the individual to national interests.
Sgt Edward ('Johnny') Jackson, MM.
Jackson embarked in Sydney on RMS Osterley on 16 January 1916. In Egypt he was taken on strength of the 13th Artillery Brigade, 51st Battery on 22 March. After four months training in Egypt he embarked for Marseilles on 23 June 1916 as Gunner, and spent the rest of the war on the Western Front.
On 8 October 1918 enemy planes bombed the Battery near Montbrehain, killing and wounding several men, causing ammunition explosions and starting a fire. For his subsequent action Jackson earned the Military Medal:
Notwithstanding the fact that the enemy planes returned to the position and continued to drop bombs and commenced to machine-gun the fire [Sgt Jackson and Gunner Jones], without hesitation, and at great personal risk, pulled away the burning and exploding ammunition and camouflage net and stamped out the fire. In doing this they undoubtedly saved a large quantity of ammunition at a time when it was required'.
He received the medal in May, was welcomed home to Ainslie in July, and discharged on 23 August 1919.
'Ainslie accepts German challenge.
[Queanbeyan Age and Queanbeyan Observer 2 June 1916]
An extraordinary meeting of the Ainslie Cricket Club was held in April 1916 in the tent of Edward 'Johnny' Jackson, at Tel-el-Kebir in Egypt. They met "for the purpose of discussing the prospects of the forthcoming season. Mr H.O.Landon occupied the chair.....
The secretary, Mr E.M.Jackson, read a report received from Mr A. Berry, the club's delegate, intimating that he had received a challenge from the 'Kultur Club', who boasted they were champions of Belgium, and unbeatable. Mr R. Middlecoat said that, by reason of winning the Federal Territory premiership and landing the Cup after that very exciting and memorable game with Hall on Easter Saturday 1915, the Ainslie team were also justified in their claim of holding practically an unbeaten record, and moved that the challenge be accepted......
"Letters were received from Messrs Southwell, Willis, Edwards and Potter apologising for their absence, but stating they were on their way and if chosen would be available for the team. The following eleven were then picked: - Jackson (captain), Landon, Berry, Middlecoat, Ayrton, Turner, Ryan, Southwell, Willis, Edwards and Potter."
Schools
- Gungahleen School
1913 - 1915