Alexander Jobson

Alexander Jobson was born in Clunes, Victoria, the son of Christopher Jobson, a merchant. He left school at 14 and started work as a clerk with the Australian Mutual Provident Society in Melbourne. He later qualified as an actuary and public accountant. In 1902 he moved to Sydney, where he worked as an actuary for the Equitable Life Assurance Company. In 1906 he set up as an accountant in private practice. From 1910 to 1916 he worked as a financial journalist on the Sydney Sun. His column was noted for its frankness, not always a quality associated with financial journalists. Jobson’s military career ran in parallel with his financial career. He joined the Victorian Scottish Rifles in August 1898 and was commissioned in December 1899. He maintained his military connections after moving to Sydney by joining the New South Wales Scottish Rifles.

When the war broke out Jobson was commanding officer of the 34th Infantry Regiment. He was not appointed to the AIF until 10 February 1916, when he was given command of 9th Brigade. This formation left Australia in May 1916. After training on Salisbury Plain the brigade was deployed to France on 26 November 1916 as part of 3rd Australian Division, commanded by John Monash.

9th Australian Brigade’s first major action was the Battle of Messines (June 1917). Jobson’s planning and performance were excellent, but the personal cost was high. He appeared at a divisional conference on 24 July in a state of great agitation, complaining that too much had been demanded of 9th Brigade and too little of the other brigades in 3rd Division. Monash had previously shown great faith in Jobson’s abilities: Jobson had twice commanded 3rd Australian Division in Monash’s absence. But faced with evidence that Jobson had lost his nerve, Monash acted with characteristic ruthlessness. He offered Jobson the opportunity to ‘resign’ and Jobson took it. He was a decent, able man, unable to deal with the realities of command under combat conditions.