Remembered
On This Day, 19 May 1918

Benjamin Jackson died of wounds on this day in 1918

Benjamin Jackson
Benjamin Jackson

Benjamin Jackson was born in 20 June 1893, Burnley.

His father was Andrew Jackson (a cotton weaver, and a British subject born on Rhode Island, US), his mother was Sarah (née Holland).

At the 1901 the young family lived in Burnley and their father worked as a weaver. Older brother Albert lived with his grandparents (his grandfather a 68 year old cotton spinner, along with his grandmother, great aunt and two boarders). 

By the 1911 Census his Benjamin's father had died (he died in 1903). The family live at No.90 Helena St, Tullege, Burnley. Older brother Albert (then 28) was living at home once again and worked as a general labour for the Burnley Corporation; William (then 26) was working as a carter - sister Florence (19) was a weaver while Benjamin was a miner, 'below the ground' and working as a hewer. 

Hewer Underground
Hewer underground. Image - National Coal Mining Museums of England

According to his Short Attestation papers, Benjamin, formerly 12588 in the 1st Bn East Lancashire Regiment, was by the time of his enlistment, above ground - a labourer at Grimshaw's Brewery at 15/20 Church Street, Burnley.

Grimshaw Brewery
Grimshaw Brewery, Burnley

Ben enlisted into the East Lancs on 30 August 1914. He was 21 years old, 5 ft 3 ⅜ inches tall and weighed 109lbs. He was duly posted 4 September 1914.

Benjamin served in France with the 7th Battalion until he was first wounded by gunshot to the neck and scalp in 1916. 

After treatment at the Rawalpindi Hospital at Wimereux and in the UK, he returned to the 1st Battalion from which he was attached to 988 Coy of the Labour Corps. He was wounded again in the hand in April 1917.

Benjamin died in 13 Field Ambulance at Tannay aged 24. He is buried in Tannay British Cemetery, France.

Tannay British Cemetery
Tannay British Cemetery. Photo - CWGC

After his death his personal things were sent to his fiancée Ada Cambers. She had to acknowledge receipt of his shaving brush, comb, razor, 2 badges, a wallet, tobacco pouch, pipe, cigarette case and 2 photographs.

His Pension Card shows that his pension may have initially be intended for his sister, but was refused.

Pension Card Benjamin Jackson
Pension Card for Benjamin Jackson

His brother Albert, aged 31 in 1914 and a general labourer served in the 2nd Bn. East Lancs Regiment and died serving on 19 Jan 1915. His brother William, a carter in 1914, served as a labourer. He was discharged in June 1918 with a weak left knee joint.

12588/574077 Pte Benjamin Jackson, 1st Bn. East Lancashire Regiment attd.988th Coy, Labour Corps.

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