The original grave and early grave marker of NX20317 Corporal (Cpl) John Bernard Mackey (later ...

The original grave and early grave marker of NX20317 Corporal (Cpl) John Bernard Mackey (later VC), 2/3 Australian Pioneer Battalion (Pnr Bn). A baker's labourer from Leichhardt, NSW, Mackey enlisted on 5 June 1940. He served with the 2/3 Pnr Bn in both the Middle East and later in Tarakan, Borneo, where for his actions on 12 May 1945 which ultimately took his life, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. Mackey was in charge of a section of the battalion in the attack on the feature known as Helen, East of Tarakan. Leading his section along the narrow spur towards Helen, Cpl Mackey's platoon came under fire from three well-sited Japanese positions. Moving to the front, Cpl Mackey overran the first position, wrestling and bayoneting one of the enemy, before charging the second heavy machine gun post and killing its crew with grenades. Completely disregarding his own life, he again attacked a third position and in doing so was killed. The citation in the London Gazette on 6 November 1945 describes Mackey as showing "...conspicuous bravery in the face of strong enemy resistance..." and through his actions was "...responsible for the killing of seven Japanese and the elimination of two machine gun posts which enabled his platoon to gain its objective...His fearless action and outstanding courage were an inspiration to the whole battalion."

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