17/09/2026
My 103rd Golden age session for Jack, who is turning 103 next month!!
Ernest John (Jack ) Jeston was born 12 October 1923 during the Great Depression on Elco St, Hamilton, Newcastle NSW.
His father worked at BHP and died at 48 of tuberculosis.
Jack was the 6th born of 7 children. His early years were marked by great hardship. When Jack was just 2 years old, his mother Mary passed away aged 32, and he subsequently moved to Merewether to live with his Grandparents who helped raise him. Two of his sisters were put in a home and Una went to a foster family.
His Father remarried and his new wife already had 5 children and none of Jack and his siblings got along with her. Jack remembers being sent from family member to family member whilst growing up.
Jack attended school in Merewether. While many people remember childhood as a carefree time, Jack’s early years were overshadowed by tragedy & loss.
His once large family suffered awful tragedy again when three of his brothers passed away in tragic circumstances.
His brother Tommy was struck by lightning and died age 12 while walking through the rain in Merewether to collect one of their sisters.
Another brother, Allen, also passed away aged 10 after contracting meningitis.
His brother, Freddie, was killed age 20 while serving with the AIF Australian imperial force 2/13th Battalion in El Alamein, Egypt during WWll, suffering a gunshot wound.
These events left a lasting impact on Jack and shaped much of his outlook on life.
At age 14, Jack worked for BHP where he was manufacturing artillery shells used during the war effort.
In 1943, Jack enlisted in the AIF and served in World War ll. He was enlisted in the 2/7th Australian Infantry Battalion from 1943-1947, his Platoon commander was Lieutenant Quinn. The 2/7th as a whole, first met the Japanese in battle in the mid-January 1943 as part of the force defending Wau in New Guinea, although his carrier platoon has already been involved in fighting at Buna in Papua. Once Wau was made secure in early February, the 2/7th subsequently participated in the drive towards Salamaua. The advance to Salamaua involved intense close combat over difficult terrain and under the most dangerous circumstances. Acts of bravery and sacrifice occurred continuously. The 2/7th Battalion has the distinction of being the Australian Unit which served the longest period of continuous front-line combat in New Guinea. Jack contracted Malaria 4 times. He spent many harrowing days and hours in trenches and seen his friends and comrades lose their lives. In one instance he narrowly escaped death after leaving a trench, sadly his mate next to him was hit instead and died. In November 1944 the Battalion disembarked at Aitape, New Guinea for its final campaign. He spent three years there serving his country during a difficult and dangerous period in history. His time in the army was the only significant travel he undertook during his life.
Jack said they had no food and were starving. There was also no camps and beds, they just had to make do. Deliveries of biscuits were dropped in from above, but he said they were like chewing into wood, and they were worried they would break their teeth. They used to often throw the biscuits to the Japanese because they too were starving.
Jack returned to New Guinea in 2015 with seven other veterans for a commemorative, spending 10 days in PNG. This was a high light in his senior years.
After returning from military service, Jack went to Armidale to stay with his sister Una. He initially hoped to join Una’s husband in farming, but circumstances led him in a different direction.
Jack developed an interest in the railways and began working as a steam engine driver. Later, he moved to Broadmeadow in Newcastle and continued his railway career as a train driverfor 35 years.
Jack said he used to put away cash in a tin at home for many many years. He saved up $65000. He decided to divide it between his 4 children and by the time they got to the bottom of the tin they discovered because it was made with paper back then, that the money was mouldy, and the banks had to send it away to be replaced.
Throughout his working life, Jack was known for his strong work ethic and willingness to embrace new opportunities.
Jack met the love of his life Melvie at a party in Islington year 1945. Their relationship blossomed and they were married in 1948. Together they built a family and a life filled with love and dedication. Jack and his wife had four children, Kerrie, Mark, Shane & Tania. Family has always been one of the most important aspects of Jack’s life. Despite the many hardships he endured, he became a devoted husband, father and later a proud grandfather of ten, great grandfather of eighteen & great, great grandfather of four.
Sadly, Jacks wife Melvie passed away dementia and a tumour in her chest in January 2020 after 75 wonderful years together, she is dearly missed by him.
Roughly 25 years ago Jack was making a timber train for his great grandson with a circular saw, and had an awful accident. He lost part of one finger and badly broke another. The nurse mistakenly splinted the wrong finger which was only discovered weeks later when the bandages came off, leaving him with a very bent finger.
Jack did not have many formal hobbies, but as a young man he enjoyed simple pastimes such as playing cards, marbles, dominoes. He has always enjoyed watching sport and continues to take interest in sporting events.
Today, Jack’s surviving family consists of his children, along with nieces and nephews. One of his nieces completed an ancestry search that traced the families history back to the 1600’s, something that has brought Jack great pride and enjoyment.
When he was 80 he had a brain tumour the size of an orange taken out.
He walked his granddaughter Jackie down the aisle in 2022
Although Jack’s life has been touched by significant tragedy, loss and hardship, he has remained remarkably positive. He takes great pride in his family and the life he has built. His story is one of resilience, perseverance and strength through adversity, making him a wonderful example of courage and determination.
Jack’s life reflects the experiences of a generation that lived through the Great Depression, World War ll, and the many changes that followed. Despite enduring immense personal loss, he has remained a proud father, grandfather, and family man whose strength and resilience continue to inspire those around him
