Jack Lockett

John Henry Lockett OAM (22 January 1891 – 25 May 2002) was the oldest man ever in Australia when he died aged 111 years, 123 days.[1] As one of the last surviving veterans of World War I,[2] he was acclaimed as a national hero during the last decade of his life.[1]

For the New Zealand cricketer, see John Lockett (cricketer).

Jack Lockett

OAM
Birth nameJohn Henry Lockett
Born(1891-01-22)22 January 1891
Waanyarra, Victoria, Australia
Died(2002-05-25)25 May 2002
(aged 111 years, 123 days)
Bendigo, Victoria, Australia
Allegiance Australia
Service/branchAustralian Army
Years of service1916–1919
RankSergeant
UnitAustralian Imperial Force
Battles/warsWorld War I
Awards

Life

Lockett was born in the small Victorian town of Waanyarra, near Bendigo. He left school aged 9 to work on a local farm. Later, he worked for his uncles in The Mallee.[3] On 24 March 1916, he travelled to Mildura to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force. He served in France[4] with the 38th Battalion,[5][6] earning promotion to sergeant and was discharged on 20 September 1919.[7]

After the war, Lockett returned to The Mallee and selected a 640 acres (260 ha) block of land in Linga, Victoria, deciding to make his living as a farmer.[8] In 1923, he married Maybell Ingwerson and they had four children together. In 1963, the couple retired to Bendigo, leaving the farmland (which now covered more than 130,000 acres (53,000 ha)), in the care of their children and grandchildren.[7]

After turning 100, Lockett was regarded in Australia as a "legend",[1] "noted not only for his remarkable lucidity and age, but as one of Australia's few surviving World War I veterans."[9] In 1998, Lockett and his known fellow surviving veterans were awarded Chevalier (Knight) of the Légion d'honneur by the French government for their service in the war.[10] The ceremony was held in Lockett's home town of Bendigo, attended by Prime Minister John Howard, who described Lockett as a "priceless national treasure .... who represents so much of what is the true Australian spirit ... courage ... adventure ... a willingness to share adversity".[10] In 2000, aged 109, Lockett participated in the 2000 Olympic Torch Relay.[11] On 11 June 2001, he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the community of Bendigo, particularly as a representative of Australia war veterans.[12] Lockett died of kidney failure at age 111 years, 123 days,[7] just three days after fellow supercentenarian Christina Cock, the oldest woman and person ever in Australia and Oceania. Lockett was the oldest man and Freemason ever in Australia and in Oceania. He was honoured with a state funeral,[9] and described as "a hero of the nation",[8] who "was indeed the quintessential Australian battler. Whatever hand of cards fate dealt him, his response was, 'No worries.' "[3]

At the time of his death, he was survived by four children: Jack, Kevin, Joyce, and Ron; fifteen grandchildren; and twenty-four great-grandchildren.[7] He was Australia's oldest verified male until 2021 when Dexter Kruger set a new national record. Jack was also amongst the world's 100 oldest verified males until 2021.

Honours and awards

References
  1. Simpkin, Richard P. (Richard Paul); Martin, Ray (2014), 100 Australian legends – The people who shaped a nation, New Holland Publishers, ISBN 978-1-74257-492-9
  2. Who's who in Australia, Volume 39. The Herald. 2003. p. 27. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  3. Tchen, Sen Tsebin (20 June 2002). "ADJOURNMENT: Henderson, Hon. Ann, Austin, Mr Tom, Lockett, Mr Jack". Senate Hansard. Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  4. "And then there were just 16". The Sydney Morning Herald. 18 May 2002. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  5. Paterson, Allison Marlow (2014). Anzac Sons: The Story of Five Brothers in the War to End all Wars. Big Sky Publishing. ISBN 978-1-922132-79-6. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  6. Lockett, Jack (1999). "In the trenches dreaming of horses back home so far away". In Dickens, Barry (ed.). Ordinary Heroes: Personal Recollections of Australians at War. Hardie Grant Books. ISBN 978-1-74358-326-5. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  7. "Australia's oldest man dies at 111". The Age. 27 May 2002. Retrieved 25 October 2005.
  8. "ADJOURNMENT: Lockett, Mr Jack". Senate Hansard. Parliament of Australia. 24 June 2002. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  9. "Vale Jack Lockett: a zest for life for 111 years". The Age. 31 May 2002. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  10. Howard, John (21 July 1998). "TRANSCRIPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER THE HON JOHN HOWARD MP PRESENTATION OF FRENCH LEGION OF HONOUR BENDIGO RSL, VICTORIA". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet: PM Transcripts. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  11. Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (2001). Official Report of the XXVII Olympiad: Celebrating the Games. Sydney : a profile. SOCOG. p. 39. ISBN 978-0-9579616-1-6. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  12. "The Queen's Birthday 2001 Honours" (PDF). Commonwealth of Australia Gazette (S 186). 11 June 2001. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
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