JACOBS, Harold Leslie MC (1891-1950)
Harold Jacobs was born on 31 January 1891, the son of Solomon Jacobs and Elizabeth nee Levy. He was enrolled as a day student at Geelong College in 1905 with an entry address of McKillop St, Geelong. He left at the end of 1910 (Form VI). He was in the 1st Football XVIII in 1909 and a School Prefect in 1910. According to his enlistment papers, he spent six years in the Cadet Corps, and twelve months as a Lieutenant.
He had been working as a surveyor’s assistant for three years with Mr J Urbahns at Winchelsea, when he enlisted in the 11th Field Artillery Brigade, AIF on 28 February 1916, and embarked for France on HMAT A30 Borda, disembarking at Devonport on 9 January 1917. Granted his commission on 1 September 1916 as a 2nd Lieutenant, and Lieutenant on 31 July 1917, he was wounded in action on 1 October 1917, but remained on duty. He was granted leave to England in December 1917, attended a Gas School in March 1918, and a Lewis Gun School from 25 May 1918 until 15 June.
Harold Jacobs was awarded the Military Cross, gazetted 8 March 1919. The citation read:
'During the operations near Montbrehain on 5 October 1918, the enemy placed a heavy concentration on the 42nd Battery. Two guns were knocked out, the other Section Commander killed, and several casualties on detachments inflicted. Throughout this most trying period and notwithstanding the continued shell fire, Lt Jacobs with great gallantry and devotion continued to control the service of his guns and maintain the barrage fire so urgently necessary to the attacking Infantry. His splendid control and service were not only invaluable to the Battery, but set a very high standard of soldierly conduct to all ranks.'
He was later granted leave with pay under the Demobilisation and Repatriation Scheme to attend a Surveying School at Southampton from 11 March 1919 until 30 June.
Jacobs returned to Australia, embarking on 4 July 1919 on HT Norman.
He died on 18 May 1950.
Pegasus published a brief obituary in June 1950:
' Harold L Jacobs died at his home in Newtown on May 18. When at the College between 1905 and 1910 he was an officer of the Cadet Corps, amember of the XVIII and a prefect. As an officer in the Field Artillery during the 1914-18 war he won the Military Cross. Lately he had been a director of the firm of Morris Jacobs Pty Ltd, Geelong and was a keen bowls and billiards player'
The Sydney Morning Herald published an obituary of Harold's wife, Olga Jacobs MBE (1908-2012), in November 2012. 'Olga Beryl Jacobs (nee Benjamin), OBE, died at Sea Views Manor, Ocean Grove, Victoria, shortly before her 104th birthday. She spoke beautifully, was always well dressed and impeccably groomed, and was never seen without earrings and her beloved pearls. She died peacefully in her sleep.
Olga's husband, the late Harold Leslie Jacobs, was awarded the Military Cross in 1919. It was presented to him by King George V at Buckingham Palace, and a photo and copy of his citation took pride of place in her room at the nursing home. It was a stroke of luck that they ever met. She was born and lived in Perth, Western Australia, and he lived in Geelong. In late 1933, at a family wedding in Melbourne, Harold fell in love with Olga at first sight. Contrary to all Jewish protocol, they were engaged and married within six months.
She returned with him to Geelong and they lived in Aphrasia Street, where Olga remained until 2010. Harold's family were pioneers in Geelong, going back to the early 1850s, and his grandfather owned the Jacobs Emporium (now Myer) in Malop Street. It is said that the ghost of Morrie Jacobs still haunts the store - he used to live in the basement.
Harold and Olga's only child, Ivan, was born in 1935.
Sadly, in mid-1950 when Olga was 41, Harold had a heart attack and died in her arms. From then on, she devoted her life to helping and supporting the needy. She became involved with a host of charities, and for her tireless work she was included in the Queen's birthday honours in June 1976. Olga was awarded an OBE.
She is survived by her son, Ivan, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.'
Harold's brother, Henry Jacobs was also a student at Geelong College.
Sources: Pegasus April 1911 p5; Pegasus June 1950 p43; Geelong Collegians at the Great War compiled by James Affleck. p 224 (citing Pegasus; National Archives of Australia); Sydney Morning Herald, 20 Nov 2012.