Mexborough & Swinton Times, November 11
Jackson Family – Proud Record
Born in the fine old tradition of a military family, the four sons of a well-known Conisborough woman, Mrs. W. Bagshaw, of Ferry Villas, Low Road, Conisborough, are keeping up their proud record of service.
All four of them are away on active service with the Forces. Mrs. Bagshaw, whose first husband, Mr Edward Jackson, died from the effects of a gas raid on a French battlefield in 1918, married Mr. W. Bagshaw, who himself served in the war and had a record of which to be proud. Mr. Bagshaw served in the Royal Navy, being a member of a land force and took part in both disastrous landings at the Dardanelles. He was wounded when he received his first baptism of fire on his first engagement with the enemy- and yet he afterwards spent four arduous years in the thick of the fighting and on some of the most dangerous fronts of the war without receiving another scratch. He was honourably discharged from the Service in 1919.
Born In Barracks
Mrs. Bagshaw was born in a Colchester Barracks and her father was a Garrison Sergeant-Major in the 10 th Hussars, with a record of 45 years unbroken service, while her mother, Mrs A Kimber, was born in India. Mrs. Bagshaw´s sister, Mrs Pugh was also born in India and was residing there when the Great War broke out in 1914. Mrs Bagshaw´s four sons are all very well known in the Conisborough and Denaby district, having been educated at local schools.
Twenty-two years old Edward Jackson, who is a Military Policeman stationed “somewhere in France” (and “liking it very much too”) was educated at Balby Street School, Denaby, but completed his education at the then newly erected Conisborough Middle School. He first joined-up when he was 18 years old, and took to the life with enthusiasm. He had the distinction (being a comparatively new recruit), of guarding the bier upon which lay the remains of King George V., and was also chosen to be on guard at the Coronation of the present King. He served for five years and then decided to enter the police service. Writing home from “out yonder” Edward told his mother and step-father that he was enjoying himself thoroughly up to then, and seeing if he could see his stepfather´s name carved on any of the trees, because he might be going over some of the ground Mr Bagshaw trod during his four years campaign in the last conflict.
Call of the East
Drummer John Edward Jackson who is 27 years of age, and is in the West Yorkshire Regiment, was discharged from the service three years ago after completing his period of enlistment with honours, and was called up immediately trouble threatened in early September. He is on active service “somewhere in the East”, and a curious fact is that he was in the East in September three years ago. At that time he mentioned cheerfully that in a few years time he might be back again, and his words came true probably sooner that he expected.
Stoker (2 nd Class) Thomas Jackson, is 24 years of age, and has been an enthusiastic sailor in the Navy since February. He was educated at Balby Street School, Denaby, and served on board the “Achates”, during his Naval training period. He in now on active service and from his letters it can be gathered that he has plenty to do, he likes to do it, and he “would not miss the Navy for anything”.
Driver Arthur Jackson is 28 years old and manoeuvres the lorries and tractors with the Royal Artillery. He joined the Service when he was barely 18 years old, served his six years and then went on a period of Reserve. Like his brother he was called up as soon as his country needed him. Driver Jackson is married and his home is in Plymouth.
Speaking to our reporter this week, Mrs. Bagshaw said she was happy in the knowledge that her sons were carrying on the record of military service her family had enjoyed. All her life she had been in touch with some branch of the Forces and although she had had her share of the sorrow, she had been glad to be able to assist her country in the way she had.
“A lot of mothers wear themselves away when their sons go from home on foreign service, but if they think awhile and remember that other mothers have all their children away, it would help a lot”.