ON THE CUSP OF GREATNESS at the age of 23, when most footballers start to hit their stride, John ‘Jack’ Pimm replaced the roars at Victoria Park with the call to arms.
A quick, high-marking forward, Jack was ready to launch into the peak of his career. But just as his journey was beginning, the world was plunged into war. Instead, he sacrificed the next six years of his footballing career, and almost his life, serving his country.
Battle Scars
Jack’s military service during World War II saw him face the horrors of battle in Papua New Guinea and later, in Bougainville Island where he became known as Lieutenant John ‘Jack’ Huggett Pimm.
Lieutenant John ‘Jack’ Huggett Pimm distinguished himself with courage and self-devotion, earning the Military Cross medal awarded for “inspired and gallant service” behind enemy lines.
Yet, the war left its mark on Jack, with shrapnel lodged in his stomach, ulcers on his legs, and a relentless case of malaria. He returned to Collingwood in 1946 and reclaimed the role of ‘Jack Pimm, the famous footballer… back from the army.’
But he was no longer the same.
Jack’s once-promising career was marred by injuries and the struggle to regain his former fitness, which would see him dance in and out of the seconds.
With his wife Esmae by his side, they would anxiously tune in to the radio every Thursday evening to hear the team selection news.
