General News
7 May, 2026
Service first: the medals came much later for Jack
JACK Soulsby didn’t care much for five medals awarded for his service in World War 2.
JACK Soulsby didn’t care much for five medals awarded for his service in World War 2.
It was only years later that his wife arranged for them to be issued, descendant Pauline Soulsby told more than 70 people at Rheola’s Anzac Day service.
Educated at Rheola School and later working on the family farm, Jack enlisted at Inglewood and saw service in the Middle East and Asia.
“Jack’s three brothers were exempt from enlisting, as were his two sisters. William was considered too old, Leonard was a schoolteacher, and Albert was too young. Jack officially enlisted ... on September 16, 1941,” she said.
“He joined the 57/60 Battalion, where he was reunited with his close friend Eddie Cain. The two remained lifelong friends. Other local families connected to Jack included the Hurfords, Clarks and Stapletons.
“During his training and service, Jack spent time in Seymour, Puckapunyal, Portsea, Watsonia and Casino.
“His pay began at five shillings and later increased to seven. Jack had little need to spend his money and was known for lending it to his fellow soldiers—often without expecting it back.
“At times during his service, Jack was granted leave to return home for harvest.
“On August 14, 1942, Jack was transferred to the 9th Division as a machine gunner. Later that month, on August 31, the division departed overseas to serve in the Middle East.”
She said Jack rarely spoke about the war.
“Like many veterans, it was something he preferred to leave behind. But we can only imagine the hardship—long days, harsh conditions, and the realities of the battlefield,” Pauline said.
“After returning from the Middle East, Jack was sent to Papua New Guinea, where he contracted dengue fever and was evacuated to Magnetic Island in Queensland to recover.
“Once recovered, he returned to service, with his battalion preparing to move to Burma. However, the war ended before this deployment, and Jack and his fellow soldiers returned home. During the war, letters sent to family were heavily censored, with sections removed to prevent revealing locations or operations.
“On returning home, Jack showed little interest in his medals - he simply wanted to get back to life.
“Before the war, Jack had met the love of his life, Joyce, at local dances.
“After returning home, he proposed, and although Joyce took her time to answer, they were married in 1947 and made their home in Rheola.
“Years later, Joyce arranged for Jack’s war medals to be formally delivered, which he accepted with quiet pride.”
She said Jack continued farming in Rheola until 1962 and was involved in the local community serving on the Rheola School Committee, the fire brigade, and contributed to local sporting events and working bees. He was also a member of the RSL.
In 1962, Jack, Joyce and their four children moved to a soldier settler block at Caramut near Hamilton. There they continued mixed farming, including sheep, cattle and cropping until retiring to Werribee where Jack died in 1985.
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