Archibald Arthur Jackson
- Family History
- Military History
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Archibald Arthur was the third son of Harry and Annie Jackson (née Humber). His father Harry was born in Nottingham in about 1853 and his mother Annie Humber in Quorn, Leicestershire, in about 1854. They were married at Nottingham All Saints on 19 May 1877 and had six children who were all born in Nottingham and five of whom were baptised at All Saints: William Edward birth registered 1876 (J/F/M) bap. 3 March 1878; Harry b. 1879 poss. bap. Nottingham St Saviour 9 December 1889; Clara Mabel b. 1883 bap. 10 October 1894, Archibald Arthur b. 1887 bap. 10 October 1894; Elizabeth Beatrice (k/a Beatrice) birth registered 1889 (J/F/M) bap. 10 October 1894 and Frank birth registered 1892 (J/F/M) bap. 10 October 1894. At the time of William's baptism in 1878 Harry and Annie were living at 19 Kenilworth Terrace, Nottingham, but by 1881 were living at 24 Gamble Street, Nottingham, with their sons William (3) and Harry (1). They were still on Gamble Street in 1891. In 1901 the family was living at 324 Lenton Boulevard, Nottingham: Harry (47) a viewer of cycle parts, Annie (46), William an assistant at a gentlemen's outfitters, Harry a clerk (tobacco trace), Clara (17) an assistant dressmaker, Archibald (13), Beatrice (12) and Frank (9). Also in the household was Harry's brother, Frank (39) a brewer. By 1911 Harry and Annie had moved to 28 Ashburnham Avenue, Lenton, which remained their home until their deaths. Only four of their children were in the home on the night of the census: Clara a dressmaker (employed by a draper), Archibald a clerk (lace manufacturer), Beatrice a saleswoman for a boot and shoe dealer and Frank a butcher. Their son William had married Beatrice Maud Blythe (b. 1879) in 1908 and in 1911 they were living at 34 Wordsworth Street, Nottingham, with their only child Doris Lucy (b. 1910). Doris died in December 1911 and Beatrice on 16 December 1916. Archibald married Hilda Thorp (sic) in 1915 (O/N/D Nottingham). Hilda (b. 1 February 1890) was born in Gorton, Lancashire, the daughter of Albert and Mary Thorp, but the family had moved to Nottingham by 1911. Hilda was living in Lenton Sands when she was widowed. It is unlikely that she remarried and she probably died in 1959 (O/N/D Nottingham). Harry snr. died on 19 October 1917, the month before the death in action of his son Archibald. Annie died on 20 January 1924.
1st Bn King's Own Scottish Borderers formerly 37146 North Staffordshire Regiment. Archibald died of wounds on 30 November 1917 during the Battle of Cambrai. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, France (Panel 5). The memorial stands on a terrace at one end of Louverval Military Cemetery. CWGC - History of the Cambrai Memorial (extract): 'The Cambrai Memorial commemorates more than 7,000 servicemen of the United Kingdom and South Africa who died in the Battle of Cambrai in November and December 1917 and whose graves are not known. 'Sir Douglas Haig described the object of the Cambrai operations as the gaining of a 'local success by a sudden attack at a point where the enemy did not expect it' and to some extent they succeeded. The proposed method of assault was new, with no preliminary artillery bombardment. Instead, tanks would be used to break through the German wire, with the infantry following under the cover of smoke barrages. 'The attack began early in the morning of 20 November 1917 and initial advances were remarkable. However, by 22 November, a halt was called for rest and reorganisation, allowing the Germans to reinforce. From 23 to 28 November, the fighting was concentrated almost entirely around Bourlon Wood and by 29 November, it was clear that the Germans were ready for a major counter attack. During the fierce fighting of the next five days, much of the ground gained in the initial days of the attack was lost. 'For the Allies, the results of the battle were ultimately disappointing but valuable lessons were learnt about new strategies and tactical approaches to fighting. The Germans had also discovered that their fixed lines of defence, no matter how well prepared, were vulnerable.' (www.cwgc.org)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 15 December 1917: ‘Jackson. In loving memory of Beatrice (Maud), beloved wife of WE Jackson, who died December 16th, 1916, also Doris, daughter of the above, who died December 28th, 1911. From husband and Mrs Blythe (mother).’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 23 October 1917, ‘Jackson. On the 19th inst., at 28, Ashburnham-avenue, Harry, the dearly-beloved husband of Annie Jackson, after long illness, patiently borne. Service Lenton Church, Wednesday, 2.30.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk). Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 29 November 1919: ‘Jackson. In affectionate remembrance of Signaller Arch Jackson, killed in action at Cambrai, November 30th, 1917, To live in hearts of those we love is not to die. Loving wife Hilda.’ (wwwbritishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Registers of Soldiers' Effects: widow Hilda sole legatee. Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 22 January 1924: ‘Jackson. On the 20th inst., at a Nursing Home, Annie, widow of the late Harry Jackson, of 28 Ashburnham-avenue. Interment Lenton Church Cemetery, (time) Thursday.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
