The Bongaree War Memorial and George Ernest Jacques

The Bongaree War Memorial is located on the corner of First Avenue and Welsby Parade, Bongaree, Bribie Island. The inscription on the stone plinth reads, 'Lest we forget. This memorial was erected in memory of those who paid the supreme sacrifice in the defence of our country, 1975'. Two nominal rolls were added for the Anzac Centenary for World War I and II, 'In honour of those from Bribie Island and Pumicestone Passage who answered the call'. 

George Ernest Jacques is one of the names featured on the roll. George was born in Coochin on 26 July 1890 the son of George Gilbert Jacques and Catherine McWilliams, and his parents were living on Bribie Island before World War I. George enlisted at the age of 25 on 20th March 1916 at Brisbane, listing his occupation as machinist, having previously been rejected for service due to a hernia. He embarked at Brisbane on H.M.T. Boorara on 16th August 1916, joining the 49th Battalion on 20th December of that year. From June 1916 onwards, the 49th Battalion fought numerous battles on the Western Front in France and Belgium. 

During his service George was wounded multiple times, suffering bomb wounds to the chest and forearms, and gunshot wounds to the chest, arm and legs. He was finally discharged after suffering a gunshot wound to his right thigh that caused a severe compound fracture. After returning to Australia in April 1918, George lived in Brisbane and continued to work until his retirement in 1955. He died in 1962 at the age of 71.  

George Ernest Jacques is buried at Mount Thompson Memorial Gardens and Crematorium, Holland Park. 

Explore memorials and discover the history of Queensland's service personnel with the Queensland War Memorials register, now on the Anzac Square website. 

References 

‘Bongaree War Memorial’, 2010, Monument Australia, viewed 8 December 2024, https://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/conflict/multiple/display/90586-bongaree-war-memorial 

'G E Jacques 2188', 14 September 2018, Bribie Island Historical Society, viewed 8 December 2024, https://bribieislandhistory.blogspot.com/2018/09/g-e-jacques-2188.html  

'George Ernest JACQUES', 2024, The AIF Project, University of New South Wales, viewed 8 December 2024, https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=151390  

'Jacques, George Ernest, 1890 - 1962', n.d., Moreton Bay Region Libraries, viewed 8 December 2024, https://ourstory.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/nodes/view/23970  

'JACQUES GEORGE ERNEST', 2024, National Archives of Australia, B2455, viewed 8 December 2024, https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=7371041