The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (411328) Sergeant David Jacobs, No. 13 Squadron, RAAF, Second World War.

The Last Post Ceremony is presented in the Commemorative area of the Australian War Memorial each day. The ceremony commemorates more than 102,000 Australians who have given their lives in war and other operations and whose names are recorded on the Roll of Honour. At each ceremony the story behind one of the names on the Roll of Honour is told. Hosted by Troy Clayton, the story for this day was on (411328) Sergeant David Jacobs, No. 13 Squadron, RAAF, Second World War.

411328 Sergeant David Jacobs, No. 13 Squadron, RAAF
Flying battle 23 April 1942

Today we remember and pay tribute to Sergeant David Jacobs.

David Jacobs was born on 4 December 1917 in the Sydney suburb of Marrickville, the son of Morris and Sophie Jacobs.

One of seven brothers, David attended Petersham Intermediate High School and Newington College before going on to work for the family confectionery company.

David was very keen to fly, and travelled to Tamworth to join the Royal Australian Air Force Reserve at a mobile recruiting service in July 1940.

On 28 April 1941, he enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force. Following elementary flight school in Temora, he completed further training in Deniliquin and Point Cook. In February 1942 he was allotted to No. 7 Squadron at Laverton, and the following month he transferred to No. 13 Squadron.

Flying in the face of heavy resistance, and lacking fighter support, 13 Squadron's aircraft had been flying operations throughout the eastern islands of the Dutch East Indies. Some aircraft had been lost, while others had been destroyed when Japanese aircraft attacked Laha Airfield in late 1941.

With Ambon facing invasion, the squadron had relocated to Darwin in February 1942, where it was severely affected by the Japanese air raids on Darwin late in the month.

While the squadron’s remaining aircraft were undamaged, its headquarters, stores, and spares had been destroyed. In March, the squadron moved to Hughes Airfield, where it flew operational attack and reconnaissance missions over the Dutch East Indies.

On 23 April 1942, Sergeant David Jacobs was a crewmember aboard a twin-engine Lockheed Hudson that departed Darwin, headed towards a mission over Japanese-held Koepang, in Timor.

All four crewmembers aboard the aircraft were lost as a result of enemy action, including Sergeant David Jacobs, who was 24 years old.

As the aircraft was never recovered, today he is commemorated at the Northern Territory Memorial in the Adelaide River War Cemetery. This honours 289 servicemen and servicewomen who lost their lives in operations in the regions of Timor and Northern Australia, and who have no known grave

David Jacobs’ name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my left, among almost 40,000 Australians who died while serving in the Second World War.

This is but one of the many stories of service and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Sergeant David Jacobs, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Duncan Beard
Editor, Military History Section