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food service staff
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. Sports center manager / Leisure manager They conduct daily activities at sports complexes and recreational facilities with gyms, pools, and activity rooms. Individuals need a bachelor's degree in leisure and recreation, facility management, or hospitality. 3. Food truck manager They oversee the daily operations of food trucks at tourist attractions and unique event venues. They may be responsible for coordinating work schedules, obtaining food service licenses in different areas, and ordering food inventory as needed. Food truck managers need a minimum of a high school diploma but can also benefit from previous work experience. 4. Pastry chef They specialize in making various pastries and other desserts for bakeries, restaurants, and patisseries. They work closely with other kitchen staff and chefs to create dough mixtures, develop new recipes, decorate dessert items, and monitor the baking process to ensure a finished product. To become a pastry chef, individuals can either earn a high school diploma and develop their skills or attend a pastry arts program and earn an associate degree or bachelor’s degree. 5. Airport manager / Aviation manager They ensure efficient operations at an airport while ensuring that all airlines follow FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) guidelines. They hire and train airport personnel and monitor activities relating to They usually have a few years of work experience in a role at an airport, along with a bachelor's degree in airport management 6 security, customer service, and customer amenities, including onsite restaurants. and operations or aviation management. A professional certification can also be beneficial. 6. Spa manager They lead daily operations at spa facilities. Their duties include hiring and training spa employees and maintaining an up-to-date inventory of cosmetic products, sheets, towels, robes, and other items for skin treatments. Spa managers may also promote their spa by hiring freelance marketers or organizing advertisements for digital or print platforms. They also administer advanced therapies like facials and massages to customers. The education requirements include earning an associate's or bachelor's degree in hospitality or business management. Prospective spa managers also need a few years of work experience at a spa business. 7. Hotel assistant general manager They support the job duties of the hotel's general manager. They help the available manager interview job candidates, make hiring decisions, and coordinate training efforts for staff. Hotel assistant general managers may also cover shifts for general managers and act as temporary general managers when the manager is sick or on vacation. Individuals need a high school diploma and a few years of hotel experience. They may also benefit from earning an associate's degree or bachelor's degree in hospitality and tourism. 8. Tour manager They oversee tour bookers, tour guides, tour bus drivers, and marketing staff for a tour company. They schedule work shifts for tour guides, develop marketing Individuals can become tour managers by earning a high school diploma and working for a tour 7 strategies to increase tour bookings, and read tourist reviews to determine how they can improve their overall experience. They may also accompany clients when they travel and attend to their needs. company for a few years. They can also earn a bachelor's degree or master's degree in an area like hospitality and tourism management. 9. Cafe manager They oversee the daily operations of cafes in shopping centers, hotels, and other areas. They hire and train cafe staff, adjust coffee and bakery selections, handle complex customer questions, and ensure the cleanliness of their facilities. Cafe managers also create work schedules to provide enough staff during peak business hours. To become a cafe manager, individuals need a minimum of a high school diploma and previous experience working in a cafe as a barista or supervisor. 10. Activity manager They work for hotels and resorts, travel companies, and cruise liners to oversee guest activities and ensure guests have a pleasant experience. This may include planning guests' itineraries, offering guests tours of the local area, and developing fun activities within their facilities. Activity managers typically have bachelor's degrees in hospitality and tourism, event planning, or recreation. 11. Hotel sales coordinator They work for hotels and help create and manage their marketing and customer service strategies. They also work with a team of sales coordinators and hotel managers to research ways to increase bookings and retain customers. They may To become a hotel sales coordinator, individuals need a bachelor's degree in sales, marketing, hospitality, and tourism. 8 design special offers, create branding and promotional strategies, and follow up with guests after they check out. 12. Resort manager They oversee the daily activities at resort facilities. They typically monitor the resort's housekeeping activities, finances, and marketing materials. They manage different departments to assist with general maintenance and ensure a high guest satisfaction rate. To become a resort manager, individuals need experience working in the resort industry, either a bachelor's degree or master's degree in hotel management or hospitality and tourism. 13. Travel agent They work for travel agencies or as self-employed individuals to help clients book transport and hotel accommodations. Their duties may also involve creating a trip itinerary for their clients and helping them reschedule canceled flights or transfer accommodations. Prospective travel agents need a high school diploma and an interest in travel. They may also benefit from earning an associate's or bachelor's degree in hospitality and tourism management or applying for a professional travel agent certification. Travel agents often start as employees and become managers as their careers progress. 9 14. Catering manager They oversee a kitchen and server staff team for a catering company or event venue. They hire and train catering staff and work with one or more chefs to create an effective catering menu. They also design schedules for staff members, depending on the time required to set up and prepare food before an event. To become a catering manager, individuals can benefit from earning either an associate degree or a bachelor's degree in an area like hospitality or food service. 15. Entertainment manager They collaborate with resorts, cruise liners, hotels, and other accommodations to book singers, musicians, dance groups, comedians, and other entertainers to perform for guests. Their duties include holding auditions for potential talent, scheduling bookings, and negotiating with clients to determine price points. They oversee many aspects of events, including their production and financing. To become an entertainment manager, individuals can attend a four-year bachelor's degree program in hospitality, tourism management, event planning, or events and entertainment. 16. Guest services manager They assist hotel guests with their needs from when they check in to when they check out. They provide guests with room keys, organize baggage assistance, and delegate tasks to other staff like housekeepers, front desk employees, or room service personnel. They're also responsible for hiring and training the guest services staff. This position typically requires a minimum of a high school diploma and a few years of guest service experience. 10 17. Director of Housekeeping They work for a hotel, cruise line, or resort and manage its housekeeping staff. They maintain clean facilities for all guests by hiring and training housekeeping staff and monitoring inventory, including cleaning supplies, towels, bedsheets, and guest amenities. Housekeeping directors can benefit from earning a bachelor's degree in hospitality management and gaining several years of experience in the cleaning service industry. 18. Park manager They work at public and amusement parks and help develop marketing and promotional strategies to increase visitors. They may work with facilities managers to ensure the park remains clean and well-maintained. They also manage the park's budget, train managers in individual departments, and develop inclement weather or emergency policies. Prospective park managers need a bachelor's degree in leisure and recreation, management, or landscape design. 19. Food service director They work for hotels, cruises, and other accommodations to oversee food service operations for guests. Their job duties include developing a budget for food inventory and supplies, relaying information to food and beverage managers and kitchen staff, approving menu and drink ideas, and ensuring the quality of the food and dining operations. Directors at large hotels or other organizations may also To become a food service director, a bachelor's or master's degree in hospitality management, food service management, or culinary arts is necessary. 11 oversee the room service and catering from multiple restaurants. 20. Travel consultant They assist individuals, educational institutions, and corporations with their travel needs. They meet with clients to discuss their travel options to a destination and determine whether they need a passport, vaccinations, or weatherappropriate attire; they also help them find discounted hotels and airlines and arrange accommodations for clients with medical conditions and special needs. A high school diploma and a voluntary certification are typically necessary to become a travel consultant. An associate or bachelor's degree in tourism, international studies, or hospitality can also be beneficial.
New Trends in Agriculture Extension approaches Extension has been, and still is, under attack from a wide spectrum of politicians and economists over its cost and financing. As a result, Extension Systems have had to make changes, by restating the system’s mission, developing a new vision for the future, and formulating plans for the necessary transition to achieve the desired change. 1. Privatization of Agricultural Extension Service Privatization: Process of funding and delivering the extension services by private individual or organization is called Private Extension. Concept: Privatization of extension refers to services rendered in rural area & allied aspects of extension personnel working in private agencies or organization for which farmers are expected to pay a fee & it can be viewed as supplementary or alternative to public extension services (Sarvanan & Shivalinge 1980). Privatization approaches ➢ Share cropping system ➢ Village extension contract system ➢ Public extension through private delivery ➢ Service for vouchers Strengths of Private Extension System ➢ More demand - driven rather than supply – driven ➢ High quality of services in terms of satisfying information needs of clientele, trained manpower, sustained finances and resource allocation ➢ Provides for an information mix and choices available to farmers ➢ Enhanced efficiency of staff ➢ Assure continuous supply and quality agricultural products ➢ More effective because farmer can select an adviser who is the best able to help ➢ Healthy competition among service provider will lead to better quality and lower costs for service Weakness of Private Extension System ➢ Concentrate on area having favorable physical environment ➢ More face-to-face contacts (person oriented) ➢ Increased dependence of farmers and hence exploitation ➢ No education role ➢ Deprivation of small farmers ➢ Hamper the free flow of information 2. Cyber Extension or e-extension Concepts Cyber space: it is the imaginary or virtual space of computers connected with each other on Networks, across the Globe. Cyber extension: it means 'using the power of online networks, computer communications and digital interactive multimedia to facilitate dissemination of agriculture technology. Cyber Extension thus can be defined as the extension over cyber space. Important tools of cyber extension E-Mail, Telnet, File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Gopher, Archie and World Wide Web (WWW) Strengths of Cyber Extension ➢ Access to the astounding information and continuously available ➢ Information rich and instantaneously available of information ➢ Interactive communication ➢ The information is available from any point on the globe ➢ Communication is dynamic ➢ Cut steps from traditional process ➢ Save money, time and effort ➢ Multiplicity of purpose Issues and Concerns of Cyber Extension ➢ Lack of Reliable Telecom Infrastructure in Rural Areas ➢ Erratic or no Power Supply ➢ Lack of ICT Trained manpower (willing to serve) in Rural Areas ➢ Lack of content (locally relevant and in local languages) ➢ Lack of Information Services to Rural Clientele ➢ Low Purchasing power of the Rural communities ➢ Lack of Holistic Approaches ➢ Issues of Sustainability Application of cyber extension ➢ Village information shops Dr. M.S. SwaminathanResearch Foundation, Chennai ➢ Information villagers MANAGE in Ranga Reddy District in Andhra pradesh ➢ Gyandoot net initiative of District Dhar, Madhya Pradesh. ➢ Warna wired village of National Informatics Center (NIC) in Kolhapur- Sangli Districts of Maharashtra 3. Market-Led-Extension (MLE) Concepts Market: A congregation of prospective buyers & sellers with a common motive of trading a particular commodity. Extension: It is the spreading/reaching out to the mass Market-led-extension: Agriculture & economics coupled with extension is the perfect blend for reaching at the door steps of common man with the help of technology. Dimensions of market-led extension ➢ Marketing mix: A planned mix of the controllable elements of a product's marketing plan commonly termed as 4Ps: product, price, place, and promotion. These four elements are adjusted until the right combination is found that serves the needs of the product's customers, while generating optimum income. ➢ Marketing plan: A marketing plan is a comprehensive document that outlines a business and marketing efforts for the coming year. It describes business activities involved in accomplishing specific marketing objectives within a set time frame. A marketing plan also includes a description of the current marketing position of a business, a discussion of the target market and a description of the marketing mix that a business will use to achieve their marketing goals. ➢ Market Intelligence: It is the information relevant to a company’s markets, gathered and analyzed specifically for the purpose of accurate and confident decision making. Market intelligence includes the process of gathering data from the company’s external environment, whereas the business intelligence process is primarily based on internal recorded events – such as sales, shipments and purchases. ➢ Market oriented production ➢ Use of Technology Strengths of market-led extension ➢ SWOT analysis of the market ➢ Organization of Farmers’ Interest Groups (FIGs) ➢ Enhancing the interactive and communication skills of the farmers ➢ Establishing marketing and agro-processing linkages ➢ Advice on product planning ➢ Educating the farming community ➢ Direct marketing ➢ Acquiring complete market intelligence ➢ Publication of agricultural market information Production of video films of success stories ➢ Challenges to market-led extension ➢ Gigantic size of extension system ➢ Information technology Diverse conditions ➢ Market intelligence ➢ Reforms in agricultural extension system Government Initiatives ➢ Central warehousing Corporation-1965 ➢ MSP by Commission for Agricultural Cost and Price (CACP) ➢ Food Corporation of India ➢ Then some others as: Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), Jute Corporation of India (JCI), National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), Agriculture and Processed food Export Development Authority (APEDA) etc. 4. Farmer--Led-Extension (FLE) Farmer--led-extension is defined as 'the provision of training by farmers to farmers, often through the creation of a structure of farmer promoters and farmer trainers' (Scarborough et al., 1997). Philosophy and principles ➢ Farmers and local institutions (e.g. producer organizations or village leaders) should play a key role in selecting farmer-trainers and monitoring and evaluating them. This helps make the programmes more accountable to the community or groups that they serve. ➢ Farmer-trainers are ‘of the community’; they communicate in local languages and are more sensitive to local cultures, mannerisms, farming practices, and farmers’ needs. ➢ Farmer-trainers should be selected on the basis of their skills and interest in sharing information, not just on their farming expertise. ➢ Farmer-trainers need strong linkages with and support from development agents (whether government, non-government organization (NGO), or private), the people who train and backstop them. Farmer-trainers generally serve as a complement to existing extension systems, rather than being a substitute for them. ➢ Facilitating organizations and local institutions need to be proactive in ensuring that women as well as men become farmer-trainers. ➢ Simple and appropriate reference materials should be made available to the farmer trainers. Essential Elements of Farmer--led-extension ➢ The group ➢ The Field ➢ The Facilitator ➢ The curriculum ➢ Programme leader ➢ Financing Special features of Farmer--led-extension ➢ All learning is field based & it is primary venue for learning ➢ FLE group learning constantly over the experimentation period ➢ FLE promotes healthy decisions & quality decisions ➢ Farmers conduct their own field studies with comparisons or treatments ➢ Facilitates Farmer-to-Farmer communication ➢ Field staff serve as facilitators ➢ FLE is a unique way to educate farmers ➢ It is an effective platform for sharing of experiences and collectively solving agriculture related problems. 5. Expert system Expert system is an intelligent computer program that uses knowledge and inferences procedures to solve problems (Daniel Hunt, 1986). Objectives of developing expert system ➢ To enhance the performance of agricultural extension personnel and farmer ➢ To make farming more efficient and profitable ➢ To reduce the time required in solving the problems ➢ To maintain the expert system by continuously upgrading the database Advantages of expert system ➢ Solves critical problems by making logical deductions without taking much time ➢ It combines experimental and conventional knowledge with the reasoning skills of specialists ➢ To enhance the performance of average worker to the level of an expert Limitations of expert system ➢ Expensive computer program ➢ Mostly developed not in regional languages ➢ Requires AC power and internet connection all the time ➢ Complex software requires computer skilled personnel Modules of expert system in agriculture ➢ COMAX: Integrated crop management in cotton ➢ SOYEX: Soybean oil extraction expert system ➢ PLANT/ds: Diagnosis of soybean diseases ➢ MAIZE: Maize expert system for field crop management ➢ SEMAGI: Weed control decision making in sunflowers ➢ Rice Crop Doctor: Developed by National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) Difference between conventional and expert system of extension Conventional Extension ➢ Universal approachability of same information is a problem ➢ Information is given whatever is available without considering needs and resources ➢ No Cost benefit analysis ➢ Information flow depends on availability of agent ➢ Require users to draw their own conclusion from facts Expert System of Extension ➢ Universal approachability of same information is possible ➢ Information is chosen based on their needs and resources ➢ Cost benefit analysis ➢ Information through Cyber Cafe at any place at any time ➢ Conclusion is drawn based on the decision given by the expert
ENGLISH GROUP PROJECT: THE GLOBAL VENTURE (Thailand) Comprehensive Presentation Script & Role Outline (5-Person Distribution) 1. Strategic Role & Workload Distribution Matrix Role / Name Core Domain / Responsibility Presentation Delivery Scope Member 1Member 1 Tan Finance & Housing (Rent, cost of living, deposits, urban/rural margins)Finance & Housing (Rent, cost of living, deposits, urban/rural margins) Slide 3: Finance Lead, Slide 8: Data VisualizerSlide 3: Finance Lead, Slide 8: Data Visualizer Member 2Member 2 Huy Work Culture & Professional Etiquette (Hierarchy, industry growth, networking)Work Culture & Professional Etiquette (Hierarchy, industry growth, networking) Slide 3: Culture Lead, Slide 9: Adaptation ExpertSlide 3: Culture Lead, Slide 9: Adaptation Expert Member 3Member 3 Minh Legal, Immigration & Visa Pathways (Non-Immigrant B visas, extensions, 90-day rules)Legal, Immigration & Visa Pathways (Non-Immigrant B visas, extensions, 90-day rules) Slide 3: Legal Anchor, Slide 4: Legal FrameworkSlide 3: Legal Anchor, Slide 4: Legal Framework Member 4Member 4 THanh Healthcare Ecosystem & Public Safety (Insurance, emergency networks, local hazards)Healthcare Ecosystem & Public Safety (Insurance, emergency networks, local hazards) Slide 3: Safety Anchor, Slide 10: Matrix PresenterSlide 3: Safety Anchor, Slide 10: Matrix Presenter Member 5Member 5 Sơn(project manager),Kiên Logistics, Climate & Project Manager (Transit, weather, group synthesis)Logistics, Climate & Project Manager (Transit, weather, group synthesis) Slide 1-2: Opener, Slide 6: Email Lead, Slide 11-12: CloserSlide 1-2: Opener, Slide 6: Email Lead, Slide 11-12: Closer 3. Complete Presentation Script (Slide-by-Slide) Execution Note: During delivery, presenters should display the corresponding slide from the HTML presentation tool. Speak clearly, maintaining eye contact with the grading panel. 12-Slide Presentation Guide: Secondments in Thailand Slide 1: Title Slide Purpose: Introduce the topic clearly. Content guide: Include the presentation title, group members’ names, course/module name, and date. Speaker guide: Briefly say that the presentation explains what employees and companies should consider before sending someone on secondment to Thailand. Slide 2: Agenda / Overview Welcome everyone. Our presentation is about secondments in Thailand. We will cover the main areas that a company and employee should prepare for before relocation. These include finance and housing, work culture, legal and visa requirements, healthcare and safety, and daily logistics such as transport and climate. By the end of the presentation, we hope to show that a successful secondment depends not only on the job itself, but also on good planning before and after arrival in Thailand. Slide 3: What Is a Secondment? A secondment is a temporary work assignment where an employee is transferred to another country, branch, client site, or partner organization while usually remaining connected to the original employer. Secondments require coordination between the employee, home employer, host organization, and local authorities. Slide 4: Finance & Housing — Cost of Living Finance and housing are one of the first things a secondee should plan before moving to Thailand. The cost of living can vary a lot depending on whether the employee is based in Bangkok, another major city, or a regional area. Urban areas usually have higher rent, but they also offer better access to transport, hospitals, offices, and international services. In smaller cities or rural areas, rent may be lower, but transport and convenience can become bigger concerns. So, the key point is that secondees should not only compare prices, but also consider location, commute, and what support the employer provides. Slide 6: Work Culture — Hierarchy & Etiquette Purpose: Help secondees understand workplace expectations. Content guide: Cover respect for seniority, polite communication, indirect feedback, saving face, punctuality, proper greetings, and professional dress. Speaker guide: Explain that foreign employees should avoid being too blunt in meetings and should observe how local colleagues communicate with managers or senior staff. Suggested visual: “Do and Don’t” etiquette list. Slide 7: Work Culture — Industry Growth & Networking Purpose: Connect secondments to career and business opportunities. Content guide: Mention sectors where Thailand often attracts foreign professionals, such as manufacturing, tourism, logistics, finance, technology, and regional business operations. Discuss relationship-building and networking. Speaker guide: Emphasize that trust and long-term relationships are important in Thai professional settings. Networking can happen through industry events, chambers of commerce, company introductions, and informal business meals. Suggested visual: Thailand industry opportunity map or sector icons. Slide 8: Legal & Immigration — Visa Pathways Purpose: Explain the main legal entry pathway for work-related secondments. Content guide: Introduce the Non-Immigrant B visa as a common work/business visa category. Mention that supporting documents may include passport, application forms, employment or company letters, and other evidence requested by Thai authorities. Speaker guide: Make clear that a visa alone may not be enough to legally work; seconded employees normally need the correct visa and work authorization. The exact process depends on the employer, role, nationality, and assignment structure. Suggested visual: Simple flowchart: Home employer → Host company → Visa application → Arrival → Work permit/compliance. Slide 9: Legal & Immigration — Compliance Rules Purpose: Explain ongoing responsibilities after arrival. Content guide: Cover visa extensions, work permit validity, re-entry permits, address reporting, and 90-day reporting for eligible long-stay foreigners. Speaker guide: Stress that compliance is not a one-time task. Employees and HR teams should track deadlines carefully because missing reporting or renewal dates can cause fines, delays, or legal issues. Suggested visual: Compliance checklist or timeline. Slide 10: Healthcare & Public Safety Purpose: Explain how secondees should prepare for health and safety risks. Content guide: Cover international health insurance, access to private hospitals, emergency numbers, vaccinations or health checks if required, and common local hazards such as road safety, flooding, heat, food hygiene, and mosquito-borne illnesses. Speaker guide: Explain that Thailand has strong healthcare options in major cities, but employees should confirm insurance coverage before arrival. They should also know what to do in an emergency and save important contact numbers. Suggested visual: Emergency preparation checklist. Slide 11: Logistics & Climate Purpose: Explain practical relocation and daily-life planning. Content guide: Cover public transit, taxis, ride-hailing, domestic travel, airport access, SIM cards, banking, weather, rainy season, heat, and packing needs. Speaker guide: Mention that weather affects commuting, clothing, housing choice, and travel planning. Employees should plan around heat, rain, and possible flooding, especially during the rainy season. Suggested visual: Seasonal calendar showing hot, rainy, and cool periods. Slide 12: Project Manager / Group Synthesis Purpose: Bring the presentation together and end with key recommendations. Content guide: Summarize the main risks and preparation steps: budget early, secure compliant visa/work permit arrangements, understand workplace culture, arrange insurance, and prepare for climate/logistics. Speaker guide: Conclude by saying that a successful secondment in Thailand depends on both professional readiness and personal relocation planning. End with 3–5 recommendations for companies and employees. Suggested visual: Final checklist: “Before departure,” “Upon arrival,” and “During secondment.” A simple way to divide the work is: Member 1: Slides 1–3 introduction. Member 2: Slides 4–5 finance and housing. Member 3: Slides 6–7 work culture. Member 4: Slides 8–9 legal and immigration. Member 5: Slides 10–12 healthcare, logistics, and conclusion.
Tobruk, a small town on the Libyan coast, was central to much of the fighting that took place in the Western Desert during the Second World War. It had originally been developed by the Italians during their colonisation of eastern Libya during the early decades of the 20th century. With a sheltered deep water harbour it became a key naval outpost. It was fortified during the 1930s with both coastal defence batteries and a 50 kilometre-long perimeter of reinforced concrete platoon posts, and other supporting infrastructure such as gun positions, headquarters bunkers, underground supply dumps, and observation towers. When British and Commonwealth forces advanced out of Egypt and into Libya in January 1941, Tobruk was their second objective. The Italian defence perimeter was attacked by the 6th Australian Division on the morning of 22 January and the town fell the next morning. The operation resulted in approximately 27,000 Italian prisoners and the capture of over 200 artillery pieces, but cost 49 Australian lives. The 6th Division's advance pressed on beyond Tobruk and eventually they were withdrawn from Libya to be deployed to Greece.The 9th Australian Division was moved in to Libya in February 1941 to garrison the territory captured by the 6th. By this time, however, German troops had arrived in Libya to reinforce their Italian allies and they launched an offensive that the British Commonwealth forces were ill-disposed to hold back. A retreat towards Egypt commenced. The 9th Division was ordered to fall back upon Tobruk, hold it in order deny its port facilities to the Germans, and delay their advance so as to provide time for defences on the Egyptian frontier to be prepared. Tobruk and the 9th Division were subsequently encircled, beginning what became known as "the siege of Tobruk". Reinforced by the 18th Brigade of the 7th Australian Division and other British and Commonwealth troops, and resupplied by the sea, the 9th Division held Tobruk from April to September 1941. During this period it repelled two major German attacks. In September and October the 9th Division, its condition steadily declining, was relieved by the British 70th Division, which continued to defend Tobruk until the siege was finally lifted by Operation Crusader in December. The defence of Tobruk resulted in 749 Australian deaths, and another 604 became prisoners of war. Tobruk was the scene of further heavy fighting in June 1942 when the fortunes of war again saw a British Commonwealth force seeking to deny the port to the enemy. The Axis forces, however, were in no mood for another siege and launched a massive attack to capture it on 20 June. It remained in their hands until their final retreat from Libya in November 1942.John Hurst Edmondson (1914-1941), soldier, was born on 8 October 1914 at Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, only child of native-born parents Joseph William Edmondson, farmer, and his wife Maude Elizabeth, née Hurst. The family moved to a farm near Liverpool when Jack was a child. Educated at Hurlstone Agricultural High School, he worked with his father and became a champion rifle-shooter. He was a council-member of the Liverpool Agricultural Society and acted as a steward at its shows. Having served (from March 1939) in the 4th Battalion, Militia, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 20 May 1940 and was posted to the 2nd/17th Battalion. Later that month he was promoted acting corporal (substantive in November). Well built and about 5 ft 9 ins (175 cm) tall, Edmondson settled easily into army life and was known as a quiet but efficient soldier. His battalion embarked for the Middle East in October and trained in Palestine. In March 1941 the 2nd/17th moved with other components of the 9th Division to Libya and reached Marsa Brega before an Axis counter-attack forced them to retreat to Tobruk. The siege of the fortress began on 11 April. Two days later the Germans probed the perimeter, targeting a section of the line west of the El Adem Road near Post R33. This strong-point was garrisoned by the 2nd/17th's No.16 Platoon in which Edmondson was a section leader. The enemy intended to clear the post as a bridgehead for an armoured assault on Tobruk.Under cover of darkness thirty Germans infiltrated the barbed wire defences, bringing machine-guns, mortars and two light field-guns. Lieutenant Austin Mackell, commanding No.16 Platoon, led Edmondson's five-man section in an attempt to repel the intruders. Armed with rifles, fixed bayonets and grenades, the party of seven tried to outflank the Germans, but were spotted by the enemy who turned their machine-guns on them. Unknown to his mates, Edmondson was severely wounded in the neck and stomach. Covering fire from R33 ceased at the pre-arranged time of 11.45 p.m. and Mackell ordered his men to charge. Despite his wounds, Edmondson accounted for several enemy soldiers and saved Mackell's life. When the remaining Germans fled, the Australians returned to their lines. Although Edmondson was treated for his wounds, he died before dawn on 14 April 1941. The Germans' armoured attack that morning was thwarted, partly due to the earlier disruption of their plans. Edmondson was buried in Tobruk war cemetery. He had not married. His Victoria Cross, gazetted on 4 July, was the first awarded to a member of Australia's armed forces in World War II. In April 1960 Mrs Edmondson gave her son's medals to the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, where they are displayed alongside his portrait (1958) by Joshua Smith. At Liverpool a public clock commemorates Edmondson, as do the clubrooms used by the sub-branch of the Returned Services League of Australia.Perhaps my nerves will be more under control when I am by myself. There were no entries in the diary until Friday April 18 when she wrote: Fighting terrific in Greece and North Africa…. I dread the casualty list also the heaviest air raid over London to date. Account …. of heavy fighting and much use of bayonet at Tobruk. Also gives an account of a charge in which a Lieutenant and a Corporal took prominent parts on Easter Sunday night. Of course, no names. When I read it …. I was sure the Corporal was Jack…. It said no casualties but …. I know … that all is not well with Jack. ….. (and) Stuffy ….has not come home yet. On Wednesday April 23 she received a letter from Jack dated March 30 and for the first time he said the conditions were bad. The food short, water one bottle for 48 hours. It worried me terribly so I posted a parcel (of) milk tablets, chocolate milk, biscuits (and) cigarettes.Tuesday April 15 I was feeling afraid of something while I was working and packing the cake (and) had a couple of brandys to (keep going).April 26 Received the following telegram in the mail, the bus man brought it in. “It is with deep regret that I have to inform you that Corporal John Hurst Edmondson was killed in action on the 14th April and desire to convey the profound sympathy of the Ministry for the Army and the Military Board.”Her final entry
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