Jack Kearns Wedgwood MSM (1891 - 1980)

Born 1891 in Kyneton, Victoria (Australia)

Ancestors

Husband of Ivy Evelyn Annie (Drury) Wedgwood DBE — married 1921 in Victoria, Australia

Died 1980 at about age 89 in Camberwell, Victoria, Australia

Biography

Jack Wedgwood MSM was born in the Colony of Victoria (1851-1900)

Jack Wedgwood MSM is an Anzac who served in World War One.

Jack Kearns Wedgwood was born in 1891 in Kyneton, Victoria (Australia). He was the third and youngest son of Thomas Wedgwood and Elizabeth Kearns, ^[1] and a descendant of Thomas Wedgwood, the brother of famous potter and entrepreneur, Josiah Wedgwood.

Jack Wedgwood MSM is a Military Veteran.
Served in the Australian Imperial Force 1916-1919
4th Motor Transport Company

Jack Wedgwood MSM was wounded at France during The Great War.

On 10th April 1916 Jack transferred from the Militia to the Australian Imperial Force, his young nation's all-volunteer expeditionary force for the (First World) War. ^[2] Quickly gaining promotion to senior non-commissioned rank of Sergeant, he embarked for Europe on 22nd December 1916 at Melbourne aboard HMAT Persic A34 with reinforcements for the 1st 2nd and 3rd Auxiliary Transport Companies. ^[3] In France, he was allocated to the 4th Motor Transport Company. He returned to Australia 23rd July 1919, carrying disabilities from wounds that would plague his health throughout his life. ^[2] He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM). For his war service, Jack was awarded both the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Back home, Jack established a motor mechanical business in Woodend, mid-way between Melbourne and Bendigo, Victoria.

Jack married Ivy Drury on 7th October 1921 in St Thomas' Church of England (now Anglican Church), Essendon. ^[4] After initially living in Woodend, the couple settled in Essendon. The couple would have no children but remained devoted to one another to the end of their lives.

Jack later became an executive of General Motors-Holden’s Ltd. Ivy was elected to the Australian Senate in 1949, being re-elected on four occasions, and retiring in 1971. She was created Dame Wedgwood in 1967.

Aged 88 years and having been widowed for five years, Jack passed away in 1980 in Camberwell, Victoria. ^[5]

Sources

1. ↑ Victoria Birth Index #34539/1891
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} Australian War Memorial nominal roll: 13085 Sergeant Jack Kearns Wedgwood; accessed 17 May 2023
3. ↑ Australian War Memorial embarkation roll: 13085 Sergeant Jack Kearns Wedgwood; accessed 17 May 2023
4. ↑ Victoria Marriage Index #10402/1921
5. ↑ Victoria Death Index #21509/1988