b. 02/06/1892 Allandales, Kirton, Lincolnshire. d. 24/08/1918 Thiepval, France.
Harold Jackson (1892-1918), known as “Chummy”, was born at Allandales, Kirton, near Boston, Lincolnshire on 2nd June 1892. His father was Thomas Boardman Jackson, who was a farm servant / labourer. He married Mary Ann nee Stevenson in 1871 registered in Boston. His father later became a road foreman. Harold was one of ten children born to Thomas and Mary. Sadly, Mary died when Harold was just 12 in 1904.
Harold Jackson VC
Harold was educated at Kirton village school and was a well known amateur boxer. He also attended Kirton Church Sunday School and received a Queen Victoria “Memorial Edition” bible in 1902. He was employed as a drayman by Messrs Tunnard Bros in Kirton. He moved to Nottingham in 1912, where he worked on the railways, and later as a bricklayer with Messrs McAlpine.
In April 1915 he joined the 18th Hussars as a trooper, and left for France. A few months later on 2nd June 1915, he was transferred to the East Yorkshire Regiment. He arrived in France on 16th July to join 1st Battalion. He took part in the attack on Fricourt at the beginning of July and was wounded two weeks later at Bazentin with a gunshot wound to the arm. He returned to England to recuperate, and served with a Reserve Battalion before rejoining his regiment in April 1917. He was promoted to corporal in August 1917.
On 22nd March 1918 at Hermies, France, Sergeant Jackson volunteered and went out through the hostile barrage and brought back valuable information regarding the enemy’s movements. Later, when the enemy had established themselves in our line, this N.C.O. rushed at them, and single-handed, bombed them out into the open. Shortly afterwards, again single-handed, he stalked an enemy machine-gun, threw Mills bombs at the detachment, and put the gun out of action. On a subsequent occasion when all his officers had become casualties, this very gallant N.C.O. led his company in the attack, and, when ordered to retire, he withdrew the company successfully under heavy fire. He then went out repeatedly under heavy fire and carried in wounded.
He was gazetted for the VC on 8th May 1918 and was presented with his medal ribbon by his Corps Commander, Lieutenant General Cameron Deane Shute on 18th May. He was lodging with one of his sisters at 5 Cheshire Road, Bowes Park, Wood Green when his VC was announced. A photograph of him was displayed in Wood Green at the time. On 26th June he went to Buckingham Palace to receive his medal from King George V, and shortly afterwards returned to Kirton, where a photograph was displayed in the Town Hall. He was given a hero’s welcome and he spoke to the assembled people thanking them for their “grand and hearty reception.” He was also presented with a gold half-hunter pocket watch.
Harold Jackson was killed in action near Stuff Redoubt and Mouquet Farm on 24th August 1918, and was buried in a battlefield cemetery north of Thiepval. In 1919, no trace of his body was found, and a temporary memorial was erected in Mill Road Cemetery No 2. His body was not recovered until 1927, when his remains were found and he was interred at the AIF Burial Ground, Flers. He is also commemorated with Jackson Drive in Kirton, and on the war memorials in Kirton and Wood Green, London. He is also on the Regimental War Memorial in Beverley Minster.
In addition to his VC, he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal 1914-20 and Victory Medal 1914-19. His medals passed into the hands of his sister, Mrs Mary Searby, and she loaned it to her father to wear to a Buckingham Palace Garden Party. Unfortunately he didn’t return it and it was only on his death that the medals were returned to Mary. After her death in 1955, it then passed to his niece (her daughter), Ms Mabel Scuffham, who lived in Boston, Lincolnshire. The medals were sold at auction at Sotheby’s on 11th May 1989 and fetched £10,450. They are not publicly held.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: NOT PUBLICLY HELD.
BURIAL PLACE: AIF BURIAL GROUND, GLAS LANE, FLERS, FRANCE.
PLOT XV, ROW A, GRAVE 21/30
Acknowledgements:
Kevin Brazier – Cemetery Map.
Mick Brand – Image of Jackson’s name on the Beverley Minster Memorial.
David Taylor – Image of the Jackson VC Stone at Kirton War Memorial.