Private Percy Albert Jacobs was a 24 year old saddler from Sydney Road, Granville. His mother was Mrs Hanna Jacobs of Gray Street, Granville. He enlisted on 8 February 1916 and was assigned to the 30 Infantry Battalion, 1 to 6 Reinforcements. He embarked with his unit aboard the HMAT Nestor A71 from Sydney on 9 April 1916. On 6 June 1916 he embarked for Alexandria aboard the RMS Franconia. He returned to Plymouth, England, on 16 June 1916. On 2 August 1916 he was admitted to Hospital in Lark Hill with tonsillitis, before being sent to hospital in Fargo for further treatment on 3 August 1916. He embarked for France from England on 16 September 1916. He was wounded in action in France on 17 March 1917, suffering damage to his left tibia and fibula. On 21 March 1917 he suffered a gunshot wound to the left leg, and was sent to England on 15 April 1917. On 16 April 1917 he was admitted to hospital in Handsworth to have his left leg amputated below the knee. He underwent an extended period in hospital to treat his amputated leg lasting from 16 April 1917 to 9 February 1918.
He returned to Australia aboard the HMAT Lanstephan Castle from England on 15 February 1918. He was discharged on 10 October 1918.
Kimberley Russell, Volunteer Research Assistant, City of Parramatta, Parramatta Heritage Centre, 2017