Ploegsteert Memorial
Ploegsteert Memorial
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
The birth of Joseph Edwin Jackson was registered in the District of Lanchester during the 1st quarter (Jan/Feb/Mar) 1897, the fourth born son of 6, he had 1 elder and 2 younger sisters. His mother Emily Page was born at Bridgnorth, Shropshire, October 26th 1866 and with her family moved firstly to Worcestershire before settling at Esh, district of Lanchester by 1874. By the age of 14 Emily was employed as a domestic servant and eventually met Thomas Jackson, born 1863, originally from Littlebroughton, Cumberland. He too was employed indoors as a servant and had migrated to County Durham post 1881, they were married in the district of Lanchester in 1889. Their eldest son John William was born a few months later July 18th 1889 at Quebec and George Henry at Esh in 1890 where their parents had settled at 94, Close Row, Esh, Thomas Jackson was employed as a coal miner in 1891. Unfortunately, George Henry only 1-year-old died later that same year. Daughter Mary Ellen was born in 1892, and infant Richard in 1895 who died within 6 months, Joseph Edwin in 1897, Robert 1898 and Agnes Eliza, March 26th 1901. Their joy was marred a few months later when Robert died aged 3 years. Thomas and family had moved to Clifford Street, Esh by that time and he continued to support his family working as a coal hewer. He and his wife had a further 2 children, Thomas Jnr and Selina born 1902 and 1904 respectively. By 1911 the family had moved to Dyke Street, Quebec, now aged 14 years, Joseph Edwin had joined his father at the colliery as a coal miner/labourer.
In 1914 when war was declared with Germany Joseph Edwin was 17 years of age, still too young to enlist, however, he must have lied about his age as he was assigned as Private 2446 Durham Light Infantry to the 1st/8th Battalion, a Volunteer Battalion of the Territorial Force and sent to the coastal defences at Roker and Whitburn where the men of the battalion were also trained for active service over the next 9 months at Boldon, Ravensworth and Newcastle. The main body of the battalion departed from Newcastle railway station, April 19th 1915 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel John Turnbull of Chester-le Street. Private Jackson did not depart until August 15th 1915 joining his regiment fighting on the Ypres salient in Belgium where they remained until August 1916 in the trenches at Armentieres and Kemmel. During 1917 he was transferred to the 1st/5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry as Private 300296 and subsequently, exact date unknown, to the 22nd Battalion (3rd Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers as Private 236940.
The 22nd Battalion during 1918 saw action at the Battle of St Quentin, March 21st-23rd before moving to Flanders (Belgium) to combat the German Offensive in the sector where the Battle of Messines, April 10th-11th and the Battle of the Lys, April 7th-29th 1918 ragged . They were reduced to cadre strength by May of that year.
Private 236940 Joseph Edwin Jackson Northumberland Fusiliers is presumed to have died between April 11th-14th 1918 and has no known grave. His sacrifice is recorded as one of the 11,349 names of British and South African forces inscribed on the Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing, 12.5 kilometres south of Ypres in Belgium. Most of those commemorated were killed in day-to-day trench warfare or small engagements in support of major attacks. The CWGC has adopted the date of April 14th 1918 as that of his demise and states he was 23 years of age. Having told an untruth at the time of his enlistment he was in fact only 21 years of age. Private Jackson was single.
He had nominated both his parents as beneficiaries in the event of his death. They received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to them at their home address of 4, Dyke Street, Quebec, County Durham.
Details as regards the demise of Thomas Jackson as yet unknown, Emily Jackson nee Page died in 1951, registered at Durham Central, aged 84 years.
Joseph Edwin’s sister Mary Ellen Jackson born August 3rd 1893 at Quebec, County Durham was married in 1917 in the district of Lanchester, County Durham to William Scaife. He served during WW1 with the Labour Corps which was formed, Army Order 85/17, published February 22nd 1917, as Private 563578, he received the same pay as an infantryman. Unfortunately no record has been found relating to William’s war service to confirm if he ever served overseas or remained, “at home” in England. Private 563578 died, cause unknown, May 14th 1919 at Worsley, Yorkshire, considered a casualty of war he is listed with the CWGC and interred at Hamsteels, County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Joseph Edwin Jackson is remembered at Quebec on Q2.06
