George Jackson

Story

Dad (George) joined the British Army in 1931 (14 y.o.a) but was dismissed underage. He rejoined at 15, served in Germany during 1939-45 war and BAOR post-war to join the ARA (at Australia House, London). A paratrooper in 16 Para Brigade he intended to serve in Korea. Instead we landed in ADELAIDE 4/1/53. Dad was sent to10 NS Trg Bn, WOODSIDE but relinquished rank of Corporal for 1 Airborne Platoon (NSW). He was then one of the first to join SAS in Perth (1956), finally discharged in 1958. He died 11 August after a 60th Wedding Anniversary (June 1996).

Boarding the ORONSAY at TILBURY Docks UK, on 10/12/52, Mum refused to be parted from Ration Books. She believed ‘All British countries would still be rationed’. The Mediterranean and Suez Canal was spectacular. On-board we\’d ever seen so much quality food: B/L/D with huge meal breaks in between and more meat in one person’s meal than our family of six for one week. After the high waves of Bay of Biscay and Mediterranean we had sunny days at Port Said, Aden, Colombo then Perth 1/1/53.

At Port ADELAIDE we were NOT greeted. ‘New Australians\’ were met but we fended for ourselves. We walked across a bleached paddock with a gate in the middle – no fence. About 50 dutifully filed through a lone gate. The last person closed it to laughter. We looked desperately for the station “across the paddock”. We found a raised mound with rail tracks on the far side. We all waited. Eventually a cattle train pulled in with open carriages and no windows before unbelieving eyes. That was IT … our train to Adelaide.

The Elder Park Hostel at Torrens Lake was home for six weeks. Then we clambered on the back of a flat-top truck for Inverbrackie Army Camp, loaded with our worldly possessions. The Hills area\’s long grass we thought was wheat. After London, the Hills ‘towns’ of Aldgate, Stirling, and Oakbank had to be ‘villages’. They contained hardly any life. It introduced us to a “harsh brown land”. We felt the amazement of early settlers.

Mum was an amazing woman. She worked in a munitions factory in London during the Blitz: raised four children in almost ‘poverty’ conditions: and had a position in the Lobethal Woollen Mills until Dad left for WILLIAMTOWN. After Dad retired from the ARA he set up the first ‘Free-Fall parachute club in WA. Many SAS joined because the club used then “new” T-Type chutes. Mum was one of the few civilians to be registered and qualified as a parachute rigger, copying Russian chutes. She sewed and repaired chutes and was regarded as the ‘Grand Dame’ of the club. Mum died in 2001.

Karl (b.1937), served 17 yrs in the R Aust Inf in Malaya (1963-64): South Vietnam (1964, 66-67): and is a Vietnam Veteran (Major RL). He lived in India for two years, returned to become a Clinical Psychologist (15 yrs). Retiring again he then obtained a PhD (Adelaide) in 2001. His wife Frances is a qualified teacher and Massage Practitioner.

Tony (b.1938) has just been granted the title of ‘Grand Master\’ in Okinawa-style Karate. This has been his life-long study since being made disabled in the 1960\’s. Tony\’s wife Anne has retired from Nursing and has taught Tai Chi for many years.

David (b.1939), studied in a Catholic seminary, then worked in remote areas of WA. He became a Medical Social Worker in Perth until retirement. His wife Margaret is a Music Teacher. Both have travelled extensively to many places including Easter Island and Macchu Pichu. David and Margaret are the only family members to have visited the UK.

Elaine (b. 1944), owned a shoe shop: ran Real Estate: and a Travel Agency from it in Margaret River. She has managed her own Real Estate Office in Perth for 20 yrs. Her partner, Tony retired from a Perth college and is a Vietnam Veteran.

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