Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Edward Jackson was born at Carlton Iron Works, Stillington, County Durham in 1895, one of 13 children of whom only 10 survived, he was the 4th born son of 5 and had 3 elder and 2 younger sisters. His father William Jackson native of Chester-le-Street, County Durham born 1857 married at Stockton in 1884 to Clara Ann Beddard originally from Staffordshire. Living in 1891 at 13, Morrison Street, Whitton he supported his wife and 5 children employed as an engine fitter, they remained at the same address for almost 20 years until in 1911 they can be found living at Carlton Iron Works, Stockton. He was now employed as a fitter at the blast furnace as was son Robert (19), Thomas Fenwick Jackson (24) worked as a boiler maker, John William (22) was a labourer at the coke ovens as was Edward (15), Annie (26) assisted her mother with domestic duties, Sarah (12) Bertha (9), George (7). were scholars. Also in the household was William’s mother Mary Jackson and his 2 grandchildren Jeanette (6) and Ruth (3).
On the outbreak of war Edward Jackson enlisted in 1914 assigned as Private 9775 to the 4th Battalion Durham Light Infantry which consisted initially of only 450 men stationed at Barnard Castle. Mobilised they were moved to the Tyne Defences at Wallsend and along the north bank of the River Tyne. Later they were transferred to Killingworth and Forest Hall and by September 1915 south of the river to Seaham Harbour where the Battalion remained until the end of the war although part of their role was also to train recruits for active service overseas.
Unfortunately, Private Jackson’s military record no longer exists it is therefore impossible to know his exact movements and he was also transferred within the Durham Light Infantry on three occasions, firstly to the 14th Battalion, then the 10th and finally the 22nd. He departed for the Western Front after January 1916 and saw action on the Somme in 1916 and in Belgium during 1917. Both the 10th and the 14th Battalions Durham Light Infantry were disbanded within 2 days of each other February 10th-12th 1918, it would have been at this point that Private Jackson was transferred to the 22nd (Pioneer) Battalion.
March 21st 1918 the German Army attacked on the Somme crossing the river Somme at Ham. The 22nd Battalion as part of the 5th Division moved towards the front line but were forced to retreat and the Pioneers were called on to fight as infantrymen. By April 2nd 1918 when they were relieved by the French the Pioneers had lost almost 450 men killed, wounded or missing.
Private 4/9775 Edward Jackson was killed in action March 29th 1918 and initially buried on the battlefield at Nesle map reference 99-57 along with 8 others, all were marked with a cross bearing name and military details. After Armistice and the clearing of the battlefields these graves were found, some of which had been destroyed during subsequent actions. This was the case for Private Jackson, his remains were exhumed and identified only by means of his disc. His next of kin were informed of the necessity to move his body as he and the others were brought into the newly formed Ham British Cemetery, Muille-Villette where he was interred grave II. F. 36, July 22nd 1919. At the time of his demise he was 23 years old and single.
His father William received all monies due to him and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Edward Jackson is remembered at Stillington on S137.01 and S137.02
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 66
