Premier delivers replacement Legion of Honour medal to a Queensland hero

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has delivered a replacement Legion of Honour medal to Queensland World War II veteran Arthur James Robert (Bob) Jackson after his original medal was damaged in a house fire at Salisbury last month.

The Premier wrote to the French Ambassador last week, seeking urgent assistance to replace the Legion d’Honneur medal which Mr Jackson had received after serving in World War II.

“Just days after waving to a grateful crowd at the Anzac Day parade in Brisbane, Mr Jackson lost most of his belongings in a devastating house fire in Brisbane’s south,” the Premier said.

"Last week I wrote to His Excellency Christophe Penot, Ambassador of France to Australia, asking him to liaise with the French President Emmanuel Macron while he was visiting Australia and request a replacement medal for Mr Jackson.

“I would like to extend my personal gratitude to President Macron, French Ambassador Penot and all of the staff at the French Embassy for prioritising this request and organising a new medal in such a short amount of time.

“It was my great honour to visit Mr Jackson in hospital today and deliver to him this replacement medal.

“The Legion of Honour medal was one of many possessions Mr Jackson sadly lost and this is a small item of great personal meaning that we could replace for a very deserving Queensland hero.

“I know the community has great affection for Mr Jackson and will continue to support him in whatever way they can on his journey to recovery.”

Mr Jackson was awarded the Legion of Honour medal for his role, working with Allied forces in operations to liberate France during World War II.

The Legion of Honour, first established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, is the highest French decoration recognising distinguished services for France.

Media Contact:  Geoff Breusch 0417 272 875