The following citation is taken from the Brisbane City Council Heritage Register. While I do not question the research of the Council's research as they have access to land purchase records I can fine no evidence of John F. Jackson living in the house. There is evidence of his parents occupying the house almost at the time it was built. His father was William James Jackson of the Jackson and Son produce merchant business. This was a second generation business in 1930 and W. J. Jackson was quite a wealthy person. There appeard to be a considerable amount of money tied to a trust under the name of John Jackson who was the founder of the company. For decades after John Jackson's death application was being made to the court for access by the Jackson family to the income generated by this trust.
Regardless of the financial situation and who built and owned the house the story here is about the Jackson family and the sacrificies the family made in service for Australia.
Brisbane City Council Heritage Citation on La-La-La Milne Street, Clayfield
John Francis Jackson, a stock agent and grazier from the St George district, purchased this land in April 1930.
John had moved to Redcliffe by June when he lodged a building application to erect this house. He had also
purchased other land in Milne Street and lodged another building application over it at the same time. The
house, named La-la-la, was estimated to cost £2700. It was designed by Charles H Griffin and built by B White
of Toowong.
Jackson was also a pilot and joined the Citizens Air Force in 1936. When war broke out in 1939 Jackson was
posted to RAAF No 23 Squadron as a Pilot Officer. Early in 1940 before he was posted to the Middle East, he
transferred title of the property to his widowed mother Edith Annie Jackson. During the war his wife and daughter
also resided at ‘Lalala’. After a year fighting with No 3 Squadron in the Middle East Jackson was brought back to
Australia as the war with Japan began. He was later decorated for his bravery in Lybia, Syria, and Cyprus.
Jackson served in the defence of Port Moresby as Squadron Leader of No 75 Squadron, flying Kittyhawks until
he was killed in a dog-fight over that town in 1942. The airfield at Port Moresby was later named Jackson Field in
his honour.
Edith Jackson remained at La-la-la until her death in 1955.
Week (Brisbane, Qld. : 1876 - 1934), Friday 4 May 1923, page 19
MR. JOHN JACKSON
Mr. John Jackson, head ot the firm ot produce merchants, Messrs. J. Jackson and Co., Ltd., passed away at his resi dence, Bowen terrace, on Monday evening. The late Mr. Jackson was born in Belfast 83 years ago, and, as a boy, he went to Canada. He lived for six years in Canada, and then returned to his father's home in Belfast. But the spirit of wanderlust was in his veins, and in November. 1863. he left London in the famous old Flying Cloud for Queensland, arriving here in February 22, 1864.
About 1876, whilst still licensee of the Ulster Hotel, he established a carrying business, and subsequently devoted his whole attention to that and to a produce business which he established in conjunction with it. Success attended his efforts, and he subsequently became head of the well-known firm of John Jackson and Co., Ltd., produce merchants, when it was formed into, a limited liability proprietary company.
For some years the late Mr, Jackson was an alderman of the Brisbane City Council. His wife predeceased him by a few years. He leaves two daughters—Mrs. Alec. Carson (Maryborough), and Mrs. John McLennan (Toowoomba). and two sons—Messrs. W. J. and J. D. Jackson, Both of Brisbane,
William James Jackson Second Generation Jackson and Sons Produce Merchants
W.J. Jackson and his wife Edith Annie Grayson had a large family consisting of five sons and a daughter. Four sons were keen pilots with three serving with distinction in the Australian Air Force and sadly a fourth tragically killed in a flying accident on his way to enlist. The other son Edward Hamilton Bell Jackson left school after his junior year and went straight to the district of Balonne and the land. All of these sons were connected to the land around St. George and Bollon in Queensland's south west. All of the Jackson family children had a connection to La-La-La in Milne Street, Clayfield.
W. J. Jackson was sadly involved in the death of Hector Vasyli. Hector was the newspaper boy in 1918 when he was accisently struck by a car driven by William James Jackson. The plaque designed by Daphne Mayo placed as a tribute to him is on the Stanley Street approach of the old Victoria Bridge.
The plaque commemorates an eleven year old newspaper boy, Hector Vasyli who was killed in 1918 when welcoming home soldiers. Hector did lots of patriotic work for returned soldiers during the war, and supposedly gave gifts of cigarettes to returned soldiers and participated in many of the welcome home parades in the city. He lost his life in one of these parades when a vehicle swerved suddenly and hit him. He died from a fractured skull.
Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Monday 10 June 1918, page 6
BOY KILLED BY MOTOR CAR.
ACCIDENT, CLOSE TO VICTORIA BRIDGE.
The hundreds of people who awaited the procession of motor cars conveying the returned soldiers at the gates of the Military Hospital at Kangaroo Point last evening speculated a good deal about the reason for the considerable interval which passed between the arrival of about half the cars and the remainder, and it was not until later in the evening, that it transpired that the delay was due to a tragic accident close to Victoria Bridge, by which a schoolboy, Hector Vasyli, whose parents keep an oyster saloon in Melbourne-street, South Brisbane, lost his life. The cars with the soldiers reached the top of Queen-street shortly before 6 o'clock, the procession being made up of more than 60 vehicles, and with the object of watching it pass, and of welcoming the men home, four or five lads, of whom deceased was one, stationed themselves on the side of the bridge; One of the cars in the lead had to slow down, and behind it was approaching a car driven by Mr. W. J. Jackson, (produce merchant) who had with him several of the returned men. To avoid the threatened collision with the car ahead, Mr. Jackson swerved his car to the left and the vehicle struck the boy Vasyli (who was 11 years of age), and knocked him down. That Mr Jackson had perfect control of the car at the time is evident from the fact that he pulled it up within its own length as soon as he realised that an accident had occurred. The boy was picked up and driven by Mr Jackson with all speed to the St Helen's Hospital. As medical assistance was not immediately obtainable there, Mr Jackson took the wisest course he could under the circumstances, and motored the lad to the Mater Misericordiae Public Hospital where it was found that he had already succumbed to the injuries sustained. An examination of the body disclosed that the skull was fractured and that there was a compound fracture of the right arm in addition to minor injures. The tragic occurrence was quite unavoidable, and Mr. Jackson, from first to last, did everything possible to avert the fatal consequences of the mishap. The Ambulance Brigade quickly answered a summons for aid.
The Brisbane Courier (Qld), 3 December 1918.
The returned soldiers who are taking part are asked to meet at the General Post Offlce at 3 o'clock, and march with the Military band, under the command of Lieutenant Grant Hanlon, and the various branches of the Baden Powell Boy Scouts are also asked to assemble at the same time, and march in procession to the service.
Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Tuesday 3 December 1935, page 13
MR. W. J. JACKSON DEAD
Prominent Brisbane Produce Merchant
Mr. William James Jackson, one of Brisbane's best known produce mer chants, died yesterday after a week's Illness. Tne late Mr. Jackson, who was born in Brisbane 59 years ago, was the eldest son of the late Mr. John Jackson, who for some years was an alderman of the city. The family lived at the time at Boundary Street, near Gregory Terrace. Mr. Jackson went to Petrie Terrace State School and afterwards to the Brisbane Boys' Grammar School. On leaving school he entered his father's produce business, which was established in 1870, and remained actively associated with it till his last illness overtook him. He was chairman of directors since the firm was converted into a company in 1926. He also had other commercial interests. He found recreation in bowls, being a member both of the Clayfield and of the Redcliffe clubs. The late Mr. Jackson is survived by his widow, who was Miss Edith Grayson, a daughter of the late Mr. Frank Grayson, a former member for Warwick in the Legislative Assembly. He also leaves five sons — Messrs. J. F„ W. G., and E. H. B. Jackson, all of whom are associated with grazing in the St. George district, and Messrs. L. D. Jackson, who is associated with his father's company, and A. G. Jack son, who is a student at the Brisbane Boys' Grammar School. There also is one daughter, Miss Edith J. Jack son, who is tho youngest member of the family.
Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), Thursday 5 December 1935, page 4
OBITUARY.
MR. W. J. JACKSON.—The death occurred on Monday in a private hospital of Mr. William James Jackson, of Milne Street, Clayfield, one of the oldest members of the Brisbane produce trade. The late Mr. Jackson, who was 59 years of age, was the son of the late Mr. John Jackson, who founded the firm of produce agents which bears his name, and he succeeded his father as head of the firm. Of late years he had retired from active participation in the business which is now Jackson and Co., Ltd. but he still took an interest in the company's operations. Although of a retiring nature, Mr. Jackson was widely known, and was generally popular. He was a member of the Clayfield and Redcliffe Bowling Clubs, and was a familiar figure on the bowling green particularly at Redcliffe. He leaves a widow, five sons, and one daughter. The eldest son, Mr. J. F. Jackson, is a stock and station agent at St. George. Two other sons have sheep properties in the southern district known as Mackwood and Mourilyan. Another son is in the business.
John Francis Jackson The Flying Ace and Squadron Leader
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Francis_Jackson
https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/jackson-john-francis-10600
The following is taken from the Australian Dictionary of Biography written by David Wilson
John Francis Jackson (1908-1942), grazier, businessman and air force officer, and Leslie Douglas (1917-1980), businessman and air force officer, were born on 23 February 1908 at New Farm, Brisbane, and 24 February 1917 at Newmarket, eldest and fourth sons of Queensland-born parents William James Jackson (d.1935), merchant, and his wife Edith Annie, née Grayson. Both boys attended Brisbane Grammar School. Completing his education at Scots College, Warwick, John toured Europe with the Young Australia League. By 1927 he was working his property, Macwood, 60 miles (97 km) from St George. In 1933 he became the proprietor and manager of Western Queensland Motor Engineering Works, St George, and local representative of the New Zealand Loan & Mercantile Agency Co. Ltd. He learned to fly, bought a Klemm Swallow monoplane and in 1936 competed in the South Australian centenary air-race from Brisbane to Adelaide. That year he joined the Royal Australian Air Force Reserve. At Christ Church, North Adelaide, on 17 February 1938 he married with Anglican rites Elizabeth Helen Thompson.
Appointed pilot officer, R.A.A.F., on 2 October 1939, Jackson embarked for the Middle East in October 1940. He served with No.3 Squadron in Libya, Syria and Cyprus, flew 129 sorties and spent 206 hours in the air in Gladiators, Hurricanes and Tomahawks. Among his victories, he was credited with destroying three Junkers 87 dive-bombers on 18 February 1941 and another on 5 April; he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and mentioned in dispatches. Flight Lieutenant Jackson returned to Australia in November and joined No.75 Squadron at Townsville, Queensland, in March 1942.
On the 19th he assumed command as acting squadron leader and began moving the unit's Kittyhawks to Port Moresby which had been without fighter protection against Japanese air-attacks. Jackson's leadership and aggression inspired his men. Confronting superior forces, they intercepted enemy raiders and counter-attacked Japanese bases. During a solo reconnaissance on 10 April he was shot down into the sea off Lae and swam ashore. Two New Guineans helped him to avoid the Japanese and guided him on a gruelling, eight-day trek through the jungle to Bulolo. He was then carried to Wau whence he was flown to Port Moresby on 23 April.
'Old John' earned the affection and trust of all who served with him. His 'philosophy, like himself, was rugged, simple, not subject to debate, determined but as true as steel'. On 28 April 1942 he led five aircraft to intercept a Japanese strike. He was killed in the ensuing combat. Survived by his wife, daughter and son, he was buried in Bomana war cemetery. Jackson International Airport, Port Moresby, commemorates him.
Balonne Beacon (St. George, Qld. : 1909 - 1954), Thursday 17 February 1938, page 4
WEDDING OF MR. JOHN F. JACKSON.
SEQUEL TO SHIPBOARD ROMANCE.
Quite a flutter was caused in Social circles In St. George yesterday, when it became known that the engagement of Mr. John F. Jackson of St. George and Miss Betty Thompson of Dublin, Ireland, had been announced in Mel bourne on Tuesday last and the date for the ceremony had been fixed for to-day (Thursday). Miss Thompson is the eldest daughter pf Mr. Basil Thompson of the well known firm of Dublin Solicitors and is a graduate of Dublin University at which seat of learning (one of the most famous in the world) she took the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Mr. Jackson left St. George some weeks ago on an extended vaeaton, which took in a cruise to New Zealand on the RM.S, Oronsay and it was during the course of this cruise, that he met his fiancee. Miss Thompson was mnking a round trip from England to Australia and New Zealand in the same ship and the romance blossomed during the New Zealand portion of her journey . John F. apparently did not waste any time iIn courtship as the engagement was announced very shortly after the return to Australia of the Oronsay, and the date of the nuptials set down for two days after the announcement of the engagement. The wedding takes place in Adelaide today and we are sure that we are express ing the sentiments of the whole district when we extend our heartiest congratulations and best wishes for the future to Mr. and Mrs. Jackson. Mr. Jackson is the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. W J. Jackson of "Lalala" Milne Street, Clayfield, Brisbane and is a successful stock and station agent in St. George, where presumably the couple will make their future home. The bridegroom is an accomplished airman having held a pilot's "B" license for upwards of four years. Mr. Jackson is the owner of one of the two American "Beechcraft" machines in Australia and was one of the first airminded bsinessmen of' Queensland to put his knowledge of flying to commercial use. to further the interests of his own business. He has already upwards of eight hundred flying hours to his credit and his prsent machine is the third plane owned by him since he took up aviation.
Arthur James Jackson Tragic Death on The Way to Enlist
Daily Mercury (Mackay, Qld. : 1906 - 1954), Friday 20 October 1939, page 8
Aeroplane Accident one man killed. member of flying family.
BRISBANE, Oct. 19.— Arthur James Jackson, 20, youngest son of Mr, W. J. Jackson and Mrs. Jackson, of Clayfield, was killed when a Moth plane owned by the Matheson Aviation and Training Pty., crashed in Goodna Asylum grounds this morning. Deceased owned the station property St. George. He had come to Brisbane to enlist with the Air Force as a service pilot and intended to use his flying hours to the required minimum of 100. He held an A license and had done 20 hours solo flying. Of his three brothers, who also came to Brisbane from St. George, John F. Jackson is already training with the Air Force at Archerfield, and two others L. D. and E. H. Jackson, who have done over 100 hours, will also join the same service. The plane hit the ground at a high speed, and was smashed to fragments and scattered over an area of 100 yards. The engine was hurled 80 yards in one direction, and the pilot the same distance in another. The main fuselage and wings crumpled up into a ball and slid or rolled 60 yards. The nearest witness, Oliver Pocock, said Jackson came from the direction of Brisbane, and shut off the engine, and began to circle slowly in a rather jerky manner. Suddenly the machine dived and the pilot revved the engine to its full extent in an effort to regain control. Just before he hit the ground the nose came up slightly, but too late. Jackson was terribly injured about the head and was killed instantly.
Leslie Douglas Jackson
When he enlisted in the Royal Australian Airforce on July 13, 1937 he was 20 years of age and gave his address as Milne Street Clayfield. His occupation was accountant. The business address was Roma Street which wouds have been the family firm of Jackson and Sons Produce.
The following is taken from David Wilson's Austarlian Dictionary of Biography reference for Leslie Douglas Jackson
On leaving school, Leslie worked briefly in the family business, J. Jackson & Co. Pty Ltd, before purchasing a garage and service station at Surat. He, too, became a pilot. Enlisting in the R.A.A.F. on 6 November 1939, he was commissioned in February 1940 and served with units in Darwin, Singapore and Brisbane. On 28 March 1942 he joined No.75 Squadron. In the defence of Port Moresby he was credited with destroying four enemy fighters and damaging two bombers. Leslie succeeded his brother in command on 29 April. In the battle of Milne Bay (August-September) the Kittyhawks of No.75 and No.76 squadrons played a decisive part in defeating a Japanese invasion force that had been sent with inadequate air support. Jackson accounted for one enemy fighter and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
After leaving the squadron in January 1943, he held staff appointments in Australia. Between December 1943 and November 1944 he led No.78 Wing (as acting wing commander from September 1944) in operations in New Guinea, New Britain and the Netherlands New Guinea. He was awarded a Bar to his D.F.C. for 'determined and successful attacks on enemy installations and shipping'. Having performed instructional duties in New South Wales, he commanded Air Defence Headquarters, Madang, New Guinea, from June 1945. He was demobilized on 8 February 1946 in Brisbane.
Jackson established Active Service Motors at Roma and bought Western Queensland Motors, St George, from John's widow. On 25 January 1947 at St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Southport, he married Cynthia Mary Cobb, née Molle (d.1974), a 27-year-old widow. Survived by his three sons, he died of a cerebral haemorrhage on 17 February 1980 at Southport and was cremated with Anglican rites.
Informal group portrait. Identified left to right: 270530 Squadron Leader (Sqn Ldr) Edward Hamilton Bell Jackson, 62739 Leading Aircraftman Stan McDonnell and Sqn Ldr John Francis Jackson, in front of a Tomahawk. Photograph courtesy of the Australian War Memorial Collection
Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), Monday 29 March 1943, page 3
Won High Awards
2 IN QUEENSLAND FAMILY WIN D.F.C.
AWARD of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Squadron-Leader Leslie D. Jackson, announced on Saturday, brings two D.F.C's into one Queensland family. His brother, Squadron-Leader John Jackson, who was killed in action at Port Moresby last April, won his in the Middle East.
The Jacksons—sons of Mrs. E. A. Jackson, of Milne Street, Clayfield—are a fighting Air Force family. A third brother, Flight-Lieutenant Ed. Jackson, now in Victoria, also fought in the Middle East. Decoration of Les Jackson is for gallant operational work at Moresby and Milne Bay. "Fine leadership and exceptional devotion to duty" says the official cita-tion. It is the first recognition of famous Squadron 75, the squadron of Kittyhawks, Australian-manned, which, in furious fighting day after day, stemmed the Japanese for six weeks just on a year ago. One other member of the squadron, Flight-Lieutenant John W. Piper, has also been warded the D.F.C. A third, Flying Officer G. C. Atherton, has been mentioned in despatches. Changed N.G. Outlook Squadron 75 was the first fighter squadron to attack the enemy in New Guinea. It consisted entirely of R.A.A.F. pilots, most of whom had not until then been in action. Within an hour of their arrival in Moresby, and 11 days after formation, they shot down an enemy bomber. Next morning John Jackson took his boys to the first surprise attack on Lae. He led the straffers. John ("Hooley-Dooley") Piper was one of them. Top cover was led by the late Squadron Leader Peter Turnbull, D.F.C.; Les Jackson was Turnbull's number two. Caught unawares, the Japs ran. On the ground they lost nine Zeros and three bombers des-troyed, and three Zeros and two bombers damaged. Two other Zeros were shot down from above. Flight-Lieutenant Piper flew so low in strafing that the under-surface of his wing struck the propeller of an enemy bomber. Piper didn't know what had hit him until he struggled home to Moresby, 200 miles away. That was the beginning of one of the R.A.A.F's greatest sagas of the air. Always heavily out-numbered these young pilots fought off the Zeros, strafed enemy dromes, disorganised his bombing raids, and completely changed the New Guinea picture. Les. Jackson bagged five Zeros at Moresby, and Piper three and a half. Half an enemy aircraft is credited when two pilots attack and bring down the machine. Down at Milne Bay later they further distinguished themselves, in pasting invading enemy infantry and strafing his warships, landing barges, and installations. One day at Moresby the Japanese sent over 18 bombers with Zero escort. Les Jackson led four Kittyhawks to give battle. They raced straight at the fighter cover. Jackson took on three. He shot one down, and in the melee the bombers were forced to unload without causing any damage. That was typical of the squad-ron's fighting. On the day he was killed, John Jackson led five against eight bombers and 15 Zeros. The brothers had fought many battles together, and when "old John," as he was known, went out, Les. became the squadron's leader.
This group of fighter pilots at their operational base includes Squadron-Leader Leslie Jackson, who has been awarded the D.F.C. He is second from the left. The others (left to right) are Flight-Lieutenant Lex Winton, Flight-Lieutenant J. W. Piper, D.F.C., and Flight-Lieutenant Peter Masters.
Edward Hamilton Bell Jackson
Born in 1915 in Brisbane Edward Jackson was another of the flying Jackson brothers. On enlistment in the air force reserve prior to the war Edward Hamilton Bell Jackson gave his next of kin as his mother Edith Annie Jackson, Milne Street Clayfield. Later in 1944 when recalled as a flying instructor he gave his next of kin address as his brother William Grayson Jackson.
Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld. : 1909 - 1954), Tuesday 10 September 1940, page 5
LANDING MISHAP.
Plane Near Kingaroy. Occupants' Escape.
KINGAROY September 9.-A plane piloted by Pilot-Officer E.H.B. Jackson, who it is understood was blinded temporarily by the glare of the sun, turned on its back while landing at the new Taablinga Village aerodrome three miles from Kingaroy at 5 o'clock this afternoon. Onlookers said the plane appeared to drop quickly when close to the ground and almost immediately after the wheels touched, one wing-tip struck the ground. Then it skidded and capsised. Jackson escaped with a few scratches, and his observer, Corporal S. Rizza, sustained a gash over one eye and bruises to the back of his head. Taabinga aerodrome was recently completed, and, although passed by a civil aviatlion inspector, had not yet been officially opened.
Edward Hamilton Flying Hours
William Grayson Jackson was the only non flying or non serving member of the Jackson brothers who spent most of their adult life or when leaving Brisbane Grammar School went to properties in the St. George and Bollon area. In 1936 W. G. Jackson was on the electoral roll with his brother Edward Hamilton at Mourilyan, Bollon. William is listed as manager and Edward a grazier.
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