Harry's Story.
EARLY LIFE
Henry Jackson was born in Macclesfield in 1891, and baptised at St Peter's Church, Windmill St, Macclesfield on 31 January 1892, the son of Mary (nee Day) and Harry Jackson, a piecer of 35 Mill Lane, Macclesfield. He was known as Harry.
By 1901 Harry's father had died and he was living at 15 Parsonage St, Macclesfield, the home of his maternal grandmother Mary Day, with his mother and an uncle and aunt. Ten years later Harry's mother had also died and Harry was living at 48 Coare St, Macclesfield with another aunt and uncle, Ann and George Tyler, and four cousins. Harry, then aged 19, was working as a cutter-out for the Macclesfield Shoe and Slipper Manufacturing Company at Sunderland Street Mills.
WW1 SERVICE
Harry enlisted with the Cheshire Regiment in October 1915 and trained at Oswestry.
The death of Private Jackson was reported in the Macclesfield Times on 13 July 1917:
PARISH CHURCH LOSS: PRIVATE H JACKSON DIES OF WOUNDS
Official notification has reached Mr and Mrs Tyler, 48 Coare St, Macclesfield, that their nephew, Private Harry Jackson, Cheshire Regt, died on June 17th from wounds received in action in France.
Private Jackson was born in Macclesfield 25 years ago, and upon the death of his parents went to reside with his aunt and uncle in Coare Street, with whom he lived up to the time of enlistment. Private Jackson was educated at Duke Street Schools, and was a regular attendant at the Parish Church. He was formerly employed as a cutter-out at the Shoe and Slipper works, and was a well-known local runner, having gained several prizes with the Macclesfield Harriers. He enlisted nearly two years ago, and for twelve months was stationed at Oswestry, being a drummer in the band. He was drafted out to France last December. While at the front he was awarded a prize for running.
In his last letter home the deceased stated: "We went over the top and gave the Huns the chase of their lives. We advanced a distance of three miles and gained our objectives. We dug ourselves in and held the position 48 hours, and then we retired. Our casualties were very light. It was the sight of a lifetime to see our lads chasing the Huns. Shells and bullets were whistling around, and our officers were splendid and brave, and the lads very willing. Our Captain was wounded in the leg. The Brigadier came to see us and said we were a fine lot of fellows, so bravo! the Cheshires. We are now having a rest behind the lines. The band is playing and we are having a concert. It is marvellous how it dispels the strain of war."
Private Jackson had a narrow escape some time ago, his haversack being blown off his back. Mrs Tyler's son, Corporal W V Tyler, Royal Engineers, is serving with the railway transport at Dieppe. He is 30 years of age and was connected with St Michael's Church.
COMMEMORATION
Private Harry Jackson is buried in Grave Ref. III. D. 36. of the Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension in France. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission holds casualty details for Private Harry Jackson, and he is listed on the Imperial War Museum’s Lives of the First World War website.
In Macclesfield, Private Harry Jackson is commemorated on the Park Green, Town Hall and St Michael's Church war memorials.
NOTES
Cousin of Corporal William Victor Tyler, who served with the Royal Engineers railway transport at Dieppe and survived the war.
SOURCES
GRO (England & Wales) Index: Births
Cheshire Parish Baptism Registers: St Peter's Church, Macclesfield
Census (England & Wales): 1901, 1911
Commonwealth War Graves Commission website
Macclesfield Times: 13 July 1917
Macclesfield Courier: 7 July 1917 (photo)