John William Alexander Jackson, known as Bill, Billy and Jacko was born in bred in Gunbar NSW and enlisted in WW1 underage.

On 8th September 1916, that he was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on the night of the raid that cost him his arm. The announcement came 5 days before his 19th birthday. As well as being the youngest Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, he was also the only soldier of the 17th Battalion’s to have been decorated with this medal during WW1.