Edward Cecil Jackson

Edward was the twin son of Robert Henry Jackson and Mary Ann Jackson nee Thraves. Robert Henry and Mary Ann were married in 1880 (marriage registered J/A/S Nottingham) and had seven children, one of whom died in childhood: Joseph Henry, Robert Arthur (b. 1883, died 22 January 1916), John T (b. abt 1885), George Ernest (birth registered J/F/M), Dorothy Mary (birth registered J/F/M 1893), Kenneth Cyril (b. 27 January 1895, died May 1903), Edward Cecil (b. 27 January 1895). Robert Henry Jackson was a lace manufacturer and by 1891 he and his wife were living at 71 Forest Road West with their four sons, Joseph (9), Robert (8), John (6) and George (2). He employed two female general servants. By 1901 the family was living in West Bridgford at 30 George Road. Six children were at home on the night of the census: Joseph (19) a lace warehouseman, Robert (18) a photographer), George (12), Dorothy (8) and the twins Kenneth (6) and Edward (6). Also in the household was a female general servant. The seventh child, John, who was included on the 1891 Census, has not yet been traced on either the 1901 or 1911 Census. Edward's twin brother, Kenneth, died on 9 May 1903 aged 8 and was buried in Nottingham Church (Rock) Cemetery on 12 May. Robert Henry and Mary Anne were living at Hazlewood, Forest Grove, Nottingham, by 1911. Only two of their six surviving children appear to have still been living at home; Dorothy (18) and Edward (16) who was still at school. Also in the household was a female domestic servant. The Probate record of 1917 gives Edward's address as the family home at 'Hazlewood', Mount Hooton Road, Nottingham, but his parents later moved to 14 Addison Street, Nottingham. At the time of the 1911 Census Robert and Mary's eldest son, Joseph Henry (29), who was probably working in his father's business ('fancy lace goods manufacturing'), was living at 43 Premier Road, Nottingham, with his wife of seven years, Evelyn, and their only child, Kenneth (4). The fourth brother, Robert Arthur, emigrated to America and died in Douglas, Cochise County, Arizona, on 22 January 1916 and was buried in Calvary Cemetery. The brothers' only sister, Dorothy Mary, married Thomas Lomas Allen in 1918 (marriage registered J/F/M Nottingham). She was an executor of both her mother's estate in 1939 (along with her brother, Joseph Henry) and her brother Joseph Henry's estate in 1951. Edward's father died on 18 February 1921 at Bournemouth; his home address was 14 Addison Street, Nottingham. His widow, Mary Anne, died on 2 March 1939; her address was 115 Harlaxton Drive, Lenton, Nottingham. John Joseph may have continued his father's manufacturing business - he was awarded probate of his father's estate in 1921 and was described as a 'fancy goods manufacturer'. He died on 26 December 1951; he was living at 14 Burleigh Road, West Bridgford.

Educated at High Pavement School and University College Nottingham (awarded Mining Certificate). Member of University College Nottingham OTC. He was a mining surveyor and had at some time been employed by the Clay Cross Mining Company but at the time he enlisted was a student at University College Nottingham.

He enlisted in Nottingham

Edward enlisted in December 1914 and was gazetted Second Lieutenant Sherwood Foresters on 23 March 1915 and promoted Lieutenant the following November. He served in British Expeditionary Force in France from January 1916 and was killed at Neuve Chapelle. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial.

Derby Evening Telegraph, Wednesday April 14, 1915. ‘LOCAL COMMISSIONS The London Gazette last night contained the following:- War Office, April 13th. Territorial Forcee: Infantry Service Battalions. The Sherwood Foresters (Notts. And Derbyshire Regiment) – 15th Battalion (Nottingham): The undermentioned to be temporary second-lieutenants: [names included] Edward Cecil Jackson, dated March 23rd.’ An article published in the Nottingham Evening Post dated 6th June 1916 reads :- “NOTTINGHAM OFFICER'S FATE. “LIEUT. E. C. JACKSON, OF THE SHERWOOD FORESTERS. “News has been received Lieut. E. C. Jackson, of the Sherwood Foresters, who has been reported missing, is now reported wounded missing and believed killed. “Lieut. Jackson, who was in his 21st year, was the son of Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Jackson, of Hazlewood, Forest-grove, Nottingham. A student at the Nottingham University, he took a diploma in coal mining, and was for some time with the Clay Cross Colliery Company. He was in the College Training Corps, and obtained his commission in March, 1915, receiving a promotion the following November. “He was for a short period transferred to a mortar battery, but at the special request of his colonel rejoined his original battalion. He was in charge of a machine gun section.” Above article is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 Sheffield Daily Telegraph, Wednesday 7 June 1916: ‘A young Nottingham officer. At first reported missing, Lieutenant EC Jackson, of the Sherwood Foresters, son of Mr RH Jackson, of Nottingham, is now reported wounded and missing, believed killed. Lieutenant Jackson, who was in his 21st year, was a student at the Nottingham University, and after taking a diploma in coal mining he was for some time in the employ of the Clay Cross Colliery Company. Lieutenant Jackson served in the Nottingham University OTC, obtained his commission in March, 1915, and received promotion the following November. For a brief period he was transferred to a mortar battery, but at the special request of his Colonel rejoined his original battalion and was in charge of a machine gun section.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) UK De Ruvigny’s ROH 1914-1919: ‘Jackson Edward Cecil, Lieut. 15th (Service) Battn. The Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regt.) s. of Robert Henry Jackson, of 14, Addison Street, Nottingham, retired Manufacturer, by his wife, Mary Ann, dau. of Joseph W Thraves; b. Bridgford, co. Nottingham, 27 Jan. 1895; educ. Higher Grade School there and Nottingham University, where he obtained a Mining Certificate; was a Mining Surveyor; enlisted in Dec. 1914, was gazetted 2nd Lieut. Sherwood Foresters in March, 1915, being promoted Lieut. the following Nov.; served with the Expeditionary force in France and Flanders from Jan. 1916, and was killed in action at Neuve Chapelle 30 May following. His Commanding Officer wrote; ‘Your son was a most capable officer, beloved and respected by all, especially his own men,’ and another officer: ‘Your son was a most efficient officer, a good companion, always cheerful.’ Another also wrote: ‘He died at his post bravely and fearlessly … an example and inspiration to us all.’ Unm.’ All Saints Church News, August 1917: 'Memorial marble and alabaster tablet in memory of Lieutenant Edward Cecil Jackson has been erected n the church by his family. Obituary of his life and death in issue July 1916.' Inscription on family memorial, All Saints church: “In affectionate remembrance of Lieutenant Edward Cecil Jackson, 15th Sherwood Foresters. Born January 27th 1895, killed at Neuve Chapelle, May 31st 1916 (sic). He gave his life to hold the line and do his duty. A most capable officer, beloved and respected by all, especially by his own men”. “Called to Higher Service.” The words on the epitaph were taken in part from a letter of condolence written by Edward's commanding officer. Inscription on Jackson family grave, Nottingham Church (Rock) Cemetery: 'In loving memory of Robert Henry Jackson, who died Feb 19th 1921 aged 66 years. Also of Mary Ann, his beloved wife, who died March 2nd 1939 aged 82 years. And their son Kenneth Cyril who died May 9th 1903, aged 8 years. Peace, perfect peace.' Kerbstone: 'Edward Cecil. Killed in action May 31st (sic) 1916, aged 22 years. Robert Arthur. Died in Arizona Jan 22nd 1916, aged 32 years.' Kerbstone: 'Also of Isaac Jackson. Died Sept. 24th 1892 aged 73 years. And his wife Sally. Died Sept. 10th 1873 aged 48 years.' [parents of Robert Henry Jackson] Probate: Jackson Edward Cecil of Hazlewood Mount Hooton-road Nottingham lieutenant in HM Army died 30 May 1916 in France Administration (with Will) Nottingham 27 March [1917] to Robert Henry Jackson [father] gentleman. Effects £163 6s. 5d. Probate: Jackson Robert Henry of 14 Addison-street Nottingham died 18 February 1921 at Bournemouth Probate Nottingham 13 April to Joseph Henry Jackson fancy goods manufacturer and Mary Ann Jackson widow. Effects £3195 3s. 4d. Probate: Jackson Mary Ann of 115 Harlaxton-drive Nottingham widow died 2 March 1939 Probate Nottingham to Joseph Henry Jackson retired manufacturer and Dorothy Mary Allen (wife of Thomas Allen). Effects £10978 2s. 1d.