RFA West Lancs Bdes
680228 BDR. R. JACKSON. MM. RFA.
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(I am grateful to Mark Holding for the photos below)
Robert Jackson was born on 27 November 1896 in Lancaster. His father was Robert James Jackson (b. 1865 in Lancaster), a blacksmith/labourer at Williamson’s Greenfield Mill. His mother was Agnes Jane Watson (b. 1865 in Ambleside). They married in 1889 and had 6 children: Dorothy (b. 1890), Albert (b. 1894), then Robert, then Eliza (b. 1899), William (b. 1903) and finally James (b. 1906). Robert snr died in 1908 at the relatively young age of 43. In 1911, Agnes and the four boys were living at 12 Brock Street, Lancaster. Robert jnr then aged 15 was a general labourer working in the same factory as his father, making floor cloth.Robert turned 18 just after War broke out and he joined the Royal Field Artillery almost immediately, being posted to 10th Battery of the 2nd West Lancs Brigade, which later became ‘B’ Battery, 276 Brigade. Robert trained as a Signaller and at some stage was promoted to Bombardier.
In the photograph below, from 1915, Robert is on the top row at the right hand end.
See the Timeline for details of 276’s engagements.
Robert was awarded the Military Medal for bravery during the opening day, July 31, of the Third Battle of Ypres.
From 55th Divisional History: "The objective of what was called the Third Battle of Ypres was the capture of the enemy's Gheluvelt-Langemark system... The weather during the whole of June and during the greater part of July had been ideal for campaigning purposes. Unfortunately, on Sunday 29 July a particularly heavy thunderstorm filled up the shell holes and turned roads and tracks into a morass. The succeeding days were dull and hazy, making the completion of the artillery preparation peculiarly difficult and typical Flanders weather conditions prevailed on the morning of the 31st - the moment chosen for the attack. Low lying clouds which made aerial observation and cooperation as difficult as could be imagined; a dampness of atmosphere, threatening rain at any moment; a half sodden ground, greasy and depressing; such was the luck of the weather at 3.50am on 31 July 1917, when the barrage opened. Not since the war began had so intense a barrage been put down, and of its wonderful effectiveness all ranks in the line bore eloquent testimony."
An article in The Preston Guardian, on 28 September 1918 stated:
“Bombadier Jackson was awarded the Military Medal for taking a message, on 31st July 1917, from Gallipoli Ridge, near Ypres, from the infantry line to the Colonel of Artillery, having to pass through both heavy machine gun fire and artillery barrage, for a distance of two miles. The message he successfully delivered was the means of securing great relief to the infantry, who were suffering through heavy enemy fire.”
[Note the similarity in Robert’s actions to the main themes and events of Sam Mendes’ film 1917].
Later in the War, Robert was promoted again to Transport Sergeant. In the early summer of 1918, Robert was allowed home on leave and on 1 June 1918 he married Sarah Jane Hall (b. 1897 in Kendal). After the War he returned to Lancaster and he and Sarah Jane had 3 children: William (b. 1918), Edith (b. 1920) and John (b. 1925). Robert died in Lancaster in 1963, aged 66.
In 1911, Robert’s older sister, Dorothy, was working as a barmaid at the King’s Arms Hotel in Lancaster. In 1915, she married Philip Edgar Thomas (b. 1885 in South Wales). Philip’s family had moved to Yorkshire and at the start of the War he enlisted with the Yorkshire Hussars Yeomanry. They formed part of 49th (West Riding) Division, who landed in France in April 1915. Philip was killed in action the following month, on 25 May 1915, in fighting near Ypres, His body was not recovered and his name is recorded on the Menin Gate. Dorothy went back to Lancaster and in 1921 she was living with her mother and two youngest brothers at 12 Brock Street. She was still living there in 1939, but I have no records for her after that.
Albert Jackson, Robert’s older brother, attested he was willing to serve on 16 February 1916, and he enlisted with the King’s Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment). He was given service number 49593 and posted to the reserves. He wasn’t called up until June 1918. He served in France the last few months of the War and was finally discharged in May 1920.
The article from the Preston Guardian also has a photo of Gunner Wilfred Green, from Bamber Bridge, who was killed on 9 September 1918.