Thiepval Memorial
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Robert Jackson, was the youngest of 2 sons, the only known children of William and Margaret Jackson of Cornsay Colliery, County Durham. William and Margaret were born at Consett, County Durham in 1839 and 1844 respectively. In 1901 they were living at 139, Chadwick Street, Cornsay, Robert (16), brother Jonathan (19) and father William (62) were employed as coal miners. In 1911 Jonathan was still living at home with his parents as Robert had married in the district of Durham in 1910 to Clara Gristwood born 1885 at Quebec, County Durham. Newly married they had moved in with her parents and brother Joseph at 8, Stable Street. Their daughter Doris was born 1912.
On the outbreak of war Robert was one of the first to enlist at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, November 26th 1914, assigned to the newly formed 23rd (4th Tyneside Scottish) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers as Private 934. They initially trained at Newcastle before moving to Alnwick camp in the grounds of Alnwick castle, January 29th 1915. The battalion was transferred to Ripon, Yorkshire in June 1915 where it joined the 102nd Brigade, 34th Division.
Whilst in Ripon Robert would have received news of the birth of a son Robert Jnr. as his wife was pregnant when he enlisted.
The regiment moved for final training in late August to Salisbury Plain, and departed to France in January 1916, concentrating at La Crosse near St. Omer. After undergoing a period of trench familiarisation they were moved to the Somme in preparation for the forthcoming offensive due to commence June 29th 1916, which because of bad weather did not take place until July 1st 1916. At 7.28 a.m. July 1st 1916 two huge mines were detonated in the explosive packed tunnels under the German lines, one to the north, the other to the south of the village of La Boisselle, near Albert. The 23rd Battalion was in support of the 20th/21st/22nd Battalions during the attack.
Private 23/934 Robert Jackson was killed in action July 1st 1916, his sacrifice is recorded as one of the 72,337 names inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, Thiepval, France, commemorating servicemen from Britain and South Africa who died on the Somme before March 20th 1918 who have no known grave.
His widow Clara of 28, Liddle Street, Cornsay Colliery, County Durham, received all monies due to him, a pension for herself and their children and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal. Clara Jackson nee Gristwood did not remarry, she died aged 83 years in 1967, district of Durham Central.
Robert’s father died in 1919 aged 80 years, details as regards his mother unknown.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Robert Jackson is remembered at Cornsay on C116.01 and at Quebec on Q2.06
