William's Story.
Nantwich Guardian, Friday, November 10, 1916.
Private W. Jacks.
Private William Jacks, formerly employed at the Crewe carriage works for about 12 years, has been killed in action. In 1909 he migrated to Toronto, Canada, and obtained employment under the municipal authorities. He was living there until the 19th of February 1916, when he volunteered to join the Canadian Infantry. After going through training in Canada, along with the remainder of the battalion, he was sent to Shorncliffe camp in England to complete the training. Eventually the battalion underwent some changes, and they were sent over to the front. Private Jacks fell on October 11.
William Jacks was born in Minsterley, Shropshire, on 13th December 1881, the son of Richard and Elizabeth Jacks. The family moved to Crewe where Richard was working for the railway, and their address in 191 was Duke Street, and in 1901 it was 66 Wistaston Road. In 1916, his parents were living at 293, Alton Street, Crewe.
William worked for twelve years at Crewe Carriage Works before emigrating, aged 27, in 1909 to Toronto, Canada, where he lived at 197, Lisgar Street. He worked in the Street Cleaning Department of the city. He enlisted into the Canadian Infantry on February 19,1916, returning to Britain for initial training.
His entry in the Canadian Circumstances of Death Register reads: 'He was badly wounded by a piece of shell which struck him in the back while with his battalion holding the trenches East of Courcelette.'
William Jacks is remembered on a plaque at Crewe Heritage Centre.
The bronze plaque was originally installed at the Wedgwood Methodist Chapel in Heath Street, Crewe, but after the closure of the church in 1969, the plaque was mislaid. It was re-discovered in 2004, and transferred to Hightown Methodist Church where it remained until 2010. It was then placed in the Heritage Centre, Vernon Way, Crewe, where it was still on display in July 2025.
William Jacks was born in Minsterley, Shropshire, on 13th December 1881, the son of Richard and Elizabeth Jacks. The family moved to Crewe where Richard was working for the railway, and their address in 191 was Duke Street, and in 1901 it was 66 Wistaston Road. In 1916, his parents were living at 293, Alton Street, Crewe.
William worked for twelve years at Crewe Carriage Works before emigrating, aged 27, in 1909 to Toronto, Canada, where he lived at 197, Lisgar Street. He worked in the Street Cleaning Department of the city. He enlisted into the Canadian Infantry on February 19,1916, returning to Britain for initial training.
His entry in the Canadian Circumstances of Death Register reads: 'He was badly wounded by a piece of shell which struck him in the back while with his battalion holding the trenches East of Courcelette.'
William Jacks is remembered on a plaque at Crewe Heritage Centre.
The bronze plaque was originally installed at the Wedgwood Methodist Chapel in Heath Street, Crewe, but after the closure of the church in 1969, the plaque was mislaid. It was re-discovered in 2004, and transferred to Hightown Methodist Church where it remained until 2010. It was then placed in the Heritage Centre, Vernon Way, Crewe, where it was still on display in July 2025.