Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

John Albert Jaeschke SX8558

John was born on the 26th May, 1911 at Semaphore, the younger son of Freidrich Wilhelm and Liuisa (nee Haeusler) Jaeschke, both of whom were South Australian born. The family subsequently moved to Cadel in the Riverland of SA when John was about 9. He had three siblings; Vera Bertha, Alice Matilda (Cook) and Wilhelm Allan. From the age of 15 John lived in Barmera. His mother aged 45, died when John was 18 in July of 1929 and was buried in the West Terrace cemetery. However, from his early twenties John was the manager of a fruit property owned by a local Carafe family. He was highly respected for his work ethic and subsequent knowledge of citrus growing.

Aged 29, John enlisted early for WWII, in July 1940, becoming SX8558 in the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. Coming from a tight knit community, the locals were proud of the enlistees and worked together to support these young men. Prior to Christmas that year the local ‘Murray Pioneer and Australian River Record’ newspaper, carried a thoughtful article: “with the announcement that A.I.F. troops, no doubt including River boys, are now participating in the terrific battle on the Lybian border, the thoughts of those who have gone from our midst to defend that tremendous issue which is at stake, are given added significance.” John’s was one of the many names listed.

Inevitably, as the war progressed, the names of those wounded in action filtered through with any scant details shared via the local paper which listed each soldier and their Riverland town home. In May ’41 John was the only injured Barmera man of the six reported injured. This was followed in the next edition with a cameo report of his background as being a hardworking, respected member of a well-known river family. John was soon on leave back in Barmera and able to attend a crowded farewell at the Barmera Bonney Theatre for three new enlistees. As a returnee, John was given a rousing welcome and best wishes for a speedy recovery with speakers ‘emphasized the great debt the people of Australia owed all the men of the fighting forces, and asked that full support from the general public -should be given to the members of this gallant band who were giving their all for Australia.’ The Riverland MP, Mr MacGillivray added that:

 “The River districts had a splendid record of enlistment in all branches of the fighting forces. So many men had gone overseas from the River, that he was certain that in all theatres of war they would meet old boys from their home town and he knew from personal experience how enjoyable such meetings could be.” Other speakers mentioned their pride in these ‘splendid types of Australians, and of the A.I.F. which they belong.’

Typical of the chiacking of the young men was the response of a new enlistee Jeff Stoeckel who said he was pleased to see John Jaesche back home again. John’s quick response was that perhaps the real reason was that he owed Jeff 26/- that Stoeckel couldn't forget!

Home on leave in January ’42, John received a warm welcome following his service in the Middle East. Through the ‘Murray Pioneer and Australian River Record’ he shared that he had recently met Grant Thorpe, Jack Stoddart, Jim Hunt and Albert Webber, all of whom were ‘looking remarkably well, and appeared to be enjoying the change from Tobruk’. In relation to his Tobruk experiences John gave high praise to the support given to the A.I.F. by the Royal Horse Artillery. "Our stay in the outer fringes of Tobruk was made easier because we had implicit faith in our supporting gunners.” He also spoke of “the wonderful services rendered to the men in the Middle East and Tobruk by the F.F.C.F., and his stay in hospital and convalescent camp was made much more pleasant by the many welcome additions to the menu through the Red Cross Society”.

Having spent eleven years pre-enlistment in charge of a Barmera fruit property, it was inevitable that John would take an interest in citrus growing methods he witnessed in Palestine. The paper recorded that, being ‘A keen observer in all things appertaining to the land, his knowledge of cultural methods in Australia make his opinions of both countries very interesting'. Because of his injury, John was finally discharged on the 9th February that year.

He was able to spend some time with his father who died suddenly in the main street the following year, just a week after his 70th birthday. Freidrich was praised for being ‘an old and highly respected River identity, and had lived, at Barmera for many years.’ As an active member of the R.A.O.B. many fellow Buffalos attended his funeral. On the third anniversary of his father’s passing in 1946, John again put an In Memorium in the ‘Murray Pioneer’: ‘JAESCHKE—In loving memory of Dad, passed away at Barmera on August 21, 1943. Always remembered by John.’

With the War finally over, John was one of many who attended the Bonney Theatre which was again the venue for a joyous welcome home to civil life for the survivors and to honour the men for ‘the great sacrifices they had made with the fervent hope that their young men never again be called upon to fight in the defence of our country.’ Mr Brooke, representing the Barmera City Council, astutely observed that ‘Most of them had seen 3-4 years in Africa and New Guinea, and unfortunately some were not returning to us in the same physical fitness as they left.’

The RSL President, Mr Malone added that ‘the old Digger of World War 1 had watched most of the men grow up from ‘little tackers’ and that they had grown up under a soldierly instinct. Many had not waited the call to Arms, but had gone at the first. Many were ‘Tobruk Rats’ and ‘New Guinea Mice’ and they had lived up to the traditions of the best fighting men in the world. Mr. Malone assured the men that 'conditions would be much improved on those following the last war, and that they would not have to suffer the difficulties of the Old Digger.‘

The community were quick to collect names of those from the district who had served to commemorate on an Honour Roll. Their support in helping with post-war plans for many of the men who were in need of housing was also an issue, especially as initially they were expected to be treated the same as civilians.

Eleven years her senior, John married Jean Elizabeth Adams on May 26th 1949 at the Pirie Street Methodist Church in Adelaide. The couple had a daughter, Lisa who later married David Stehbens. John died on the 2nd February 1984 aged 72 at Loxton and was buried in the Loxton Cemetery. A tribute to his war service is also there.

Researched and written by Kaye Lee daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133 2/48th Battalion.