This article was written by GNR A Lim who participated in the annual Albert Jacka Catafalque party to commemorate the death anniversary of the first WW1 Victoria Cross recipient. This was his third year participating in this ceremony.
On 19th January 2025, I took part in the annual Albert Jacka Catafalque Party with other members from 2/10 Battery, 9th Regiment to commemorate the life of Albert Jacka, the first Victoria Cross recipient from WWI. We gathered at St Kilda Cemetery to pay our respects on the 93rd anniversary of his death on 19 Jan 25.
Other members who joined me were GNR Lok, GNR Singh, GNR Shen, Private Anagnostakis and BDR Hoeboer. The day was a scorcher in Melbourne, 35 degrees on a Sunday, but we pushed on. We arrived at Sargood at 1000, with a series of rigorous catafalque drills under the watchful eye of our newly promoted BDR Hoeboer who was the guard commander. We practised the drills over and over to ensure we looked in unison and professional. Our newest Artillery officer, Lieutenant Paige, was eager to join us and was clearly passionate about military drills being a former Gunner himself, which brought a positive energy to the group.
By 1300, we arrived at the cemetery, where we practised our slow march until 1400 when the ceremony commenced. At 1400 we slow marched from the entrance of the ceremony to Albert Jacka’s gravesite. We stood at rest on arms as the ceremony began, with speeches from officials and Jacka’s descendants. Despite the summer heat of 35 degrees, we remained disciplined throughout the ceremony, remembering to wiggle our toes and not to be remembered as that guy who went down with heat.
As the Ceremony went on with more speeches and audience laying wreathes down, it finally finished but the local Mayor forgot to dismiss us from our positions and we stood there for another 10 minutes at attention before the Mayor realised he forgot about us and asked the audience to stand for the Catafalque party to dismount.
After the catafalque party concluded, the crowd applauded our efforts and several former servicemen shared their appreciation, noting how well we managed in the intense heat. It felt rewarding to know that our hard work had paid off, and we were able to deliver a fitting tribute to a true Australian hero.
GNR A Lim