1914-15 Star : Private G H Jakeman, 20 Battalion, AIF

Places
Accession Number REL35906.003
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Medal
Physical description Bronze
Maker Unknown
Date made c 1916
Conflict First World War, 1914-1918
Description

1914-15 Star, Impressed reverse with recipient's details.

History / Summary

Lance Corporal George Harold Jakeman was born in Kansas in the United States of America on 4 July 1883. He was the son of James and Emily Jakeman, originally from England. At some point after his birth, the family returned to England, later migrating to Australia in 1886. At the age of 19 he enlisted under an assumed name into Commonwealth Horse on 31 January 1902, as 1454 Trooper Robert Harman, to fight in the Boer War. The assumed surname was made up of his middle name 'Har' from 'Harold' and surname 'man' from 'Jakeman'. He embarked from Sydney on 1 April 1902 and arrived in Durban on 30 April but did not see action, as by the time the unit had arrived in South Africa and been deployed, peace had been declared, on 31 May 1902. Jakeman enlisted into the AIF on 9 March 1915, under his true name, having worked in civilian life as a tram driver. He embarked from Sydney with B Company, 20 Battalion, on board HMAT Berrima on 25 June 1915 and landed on Gallipoli on 22 August in time to take part in the latter half of the August offensive. His brother, Charles Jakeman, had also enlisted in the AIF and was serving with 18 Battalion and arrived at Gallipoli on the same day. Charles Jakeman was sent straight into action at Hill 60 and was killed that day. 20 Battalion primarily had a defensive roll, replacing the 3 Light Horse Brigade at The Nek from 26 August and being responsible for the defence of Russell's Top until the evacuation in December. On 18 March 1916 George Jakeman left Egypt for France, arriving at Marseilles on 25 March. He worked as a battalion stretcher bearer and was awarded the Military Medal for his work on 5-6 May 1916 at the Bridoux Salient. In September 1916 Jakeman was promoted to Lance Corporal and transferred to 5 Field Ambulance, but remained attached to 20 Battalion continuing to work as a stretcher bearer. In 1917 20 battalion took part in three major battles, Bullecourt (3-4 May) in France, and Menin Road (20-22 September) and Poelcappelle (9-10 October) in Belgium. Jakeman was gassed on 1 August 1918 and was in hospital until 5 August. He transferred from 5 Field Ambulance to 1 Australian General Hospital on 5 September. In January 1919 he left France for England, where he stayed until embarking for Australia on 12 June 1919. Jakeman was discharged in January 1920.