Name
Frank Augustus Jackson
1890
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
03/05/1917
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
35370
Essex Regiment
2nd Bn.
'C' Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ARRAS MEMORIAL
Bay 7.
France
Headstone Inscription
NA
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin
Pre War
Frank (junior) was born in 1890 in Ramsey, Huntingdonshire and his parents were Frank and Elizabeth Ann Jackson.
In 1891 the family were living at High Street, Ramsey, Huntingdonshire. Present were both parents: Frank (28) and Elizabeth (23), with Frank (senior) working as a iron turner. The only child listed was Frank Augustus who was just 7 months old.
By 1901 the family were living at South Bridge Street, Shefford, Beds. Present were both parents, with Frank (senior) working as a publican. Frank (junior) was now 10. A servant, Bertha Hills (15) was also living with them.
By 1911 Frank and Elizabeth were living at 94 Bancroft, Hitchin – Possibly The Crown and Frank was a publican. The census recorded they had been married for 22 years with 7 children, of whom 6 had died. So their only living child was Frank Augustus. He was 20 and had moved out and was found in Bedford working as a fishmonger and boarding at 18 Hurst Grove, Bedford, the home of Sarah Marshall.
He owned a Fish and Poultry business at Muswell Hill in London, which he had to close and leave when he joined (probably conscripted) the Army.
Officially Frank Augustus was recorded as born in Ramsey, Hunts., and was living in Muswell Hill, Middlesex when he enlisted in Harringay, Middlesex.
Wartime Service
He was in ‘C’ Company in the 2nd Battalion of the Essex Regiment which was part of the 12th Brigade in the 4th Division of the 3rd Army.
He was reported missing having been lost in an attack on the Chemical Works near Roeux not far from Arras (France).
The Hertfordshire Mercury (2/6/1917) reported that Frank had been missing since May 3 was now believed killed.
After no news was forthcoming in response to, Frank’s father’s enquiries, he sent his son’s photograph to the daily sketch, where it was published amongst the “news wanted of missing men,”. The Hertfordshire Express reported on 18 August 1918, that it had been recognised by Private E Bolter, Essex regiment, who was a patient in the St Johns and St Elizabeth's hospital. St Johns Wood, London, wrote to Frank's parents conveying the sad news that Frank was dead. He explained “He and I were great friends, having been together since enlisting, at Yarmouth, Wendover and France. By his status a real good fellowship he was one of the few one could really make friends with. I made inquiries for him when we came out of the line and after the battle of ____ on ____ and was informed that he was killed instantly by a shell. My informant was ____ who was a friend of Frank's. . . . . I can assure you Frank was a good soldier and a good pal, likewise a popular N.C.O. I happened to be with him on his first duty of importance when we were on the Somme front, where he had charge of half a dozen of us as ‘water bearers’ for the ‘Duke of Wellingtons,’ and he received marked congratulations for the way he carried out his duty. I felt it rather keenly when I had the information from ____ as we had much in common, especially as my home was not far from Muswell Hill [where Lance Corporal Jackson and had his shop]. All who knew him well say ‘he was a good sort,’ which in the Army means a lot. Any information in my power you require beyond what i have mentioned or shall only too pleased to give.”
Official news was still some time off, but eventually followed, and that too was reported 9 March 1918.
Sadly for his parents of their 7 children, all were now dead.
He has no known grave and is remembered on Bay 7 of the Arras Memorial to the Missing in France.
Additional Information
After his death £4 17s 9d was authorised to go to his mother, Elizabeth, on 13 March 1918. Later, a war gratuity of £3 was authorised to be paid to her, on 31 October 1919.
His pension cards record his mother, as his dependant, living at The Crown Hotel, Bancroft, Hitchin. The details of any pension awarded have not been found. After Elizabeth died, the details were change to her widower Frank, with address, at that time being The White Hart, Shefford, Beds, and later still to Abbey Green, High Street, Ramsey, Huntingdon.
Acknowledgments
David C Baines, Jonty Wild
