Jackson, Marsden – NX82720
Like so many others, the parents of Marsden Jackson NX82720 didn’t want him to enlist when the Pacific war broke out, bringing the threat of a Japanese invasion of Australia. They tried to prevent him enlisting by writing letters to the Government saying he was performing an essential service at home.
His father had extensive business interests at Rylstone, on the central tablelands of NSW, including a general store, butcher shop and bakery, where Marsden and his elder brother, Norman, had been trained as master bakers.
Mars, as he was called, was the youngest son of Harold and Dagmar (nee Dunn) Jackson. The Jackson and Dunn families were pioneers of the Rylstone district. The Dunn’s first settled in the area in July, 1817, and the Jackson family in 1861. Harold and Dagmar married in 1908.
Marsden was born at Rylstone in February, 1911. After leaving school he worked for his father for a time, moved to work in Sydney, but returned to Rylstone after his father added the butcher shop and bakery to his businesses. Mars and brother Norman learnt the baking trade from the resident Dutch baker. The wood fi red oven they used is still in use at the Rylstone bakery.
Marsden became so concerned about the Japanese advances towards Australia he decided, against the wishes of his parents to enlist, which he did on January 7,1942, a few weeks before the bombing of Darwin. He was 30 years of age. He trained initially around Dubbo before being posted to the 2/33rd Infantry Battalion on March 27, 1942.
Marsden Jackson.
He underwent further training in the Nabiac area with C Company before being transferred to the quartermaster’s section in H.Q. Company.
It is thought it may have been because of his baking skills. The Footsoldiers records he was one of the dedicated cooks who provided dinner for the troops at Dumpu, in the Ramu Valley, on Christmas Day, 1943.
He spent 484 days active service with the battalion in New Guinea and Borneo and 909 days active service in Australia, a total of 1,493 days.
After discharge from the A.I.F. on February 4, 1946, he returned to Rylstone and continued baking for another 30 years. He married his long time sweetheart, Isabel Currie, in 1951. They had two sons, Harold and younger brother Ross.
The bakery was sold in 1977 after Mars’ brother died in 1976. Mars then worked for Kandos Cement for two years until his retirement. He died in Mudgee District Hospital January, 1980, aged 68.
Marsden’s oldest son, Harold,, remembered how Mars loved attending Anzac Day marches in Sydney and the reunions with his 2/33rd Battalion mates. If he couldn’t make it to Sydney because of his baking commitments he marched at Rylstone, joined by family members, and watched the Sydney march on the ABC.
Harold said war experiences had affected his father in various ways. “My brother and I grew up owning slug guns and later rifles. Dad never stopped us possessing these guns but he never picked one up nor went shooting with us after returning from the war,” he said. Mars had deep respect for the Salvation Army for providing comfort in war zones, often at great risk.
Harold said: “ Much of my working life has been in the mining industry and I saw so many similarities between the armed forces and the mining industry because of the mateship, comradeship and the acute need to look out for each other’s safety in very hostile environments.
“Every day and particularly on Anzac Day I am reminded of how precious our freedom and way of life is and how our forefathers and mothers have shaped who we are today. To all those that have and are still serving this wonderful country I salute you. And to all those that have made the ultimate sacrifice.”