Harold Jackson

In memoriam

Rank:Gunner Regiment/Service:Royal Garrison Artillery 143rd Heavy Battery. Formerly 3256, 143rd Ashton-On-Lyne Heavy Battery. R.G.A. Son of Mr Ambrose and Mrs Nancy Jackson nee Hibbert, of 25, Albert Terrace, Mossley, Manchester. Harold trained as a butcher and had 8 siblings though his only sister, Mary had died in infancy. His brothers were James, Samuel, John, George Herbert, Albert Edward, Stonewall and Clarance who is also named on the Mossley cemetery Cenotaph headstone, he died a month before Harold in France. Harold was originally given regimental number 3256 when assigned to the 143rd Battery. He also served with some of his brothers. In a letter home one of his fellow servicemen complimented him, writing, “Harold Jackson of the Ashton Heavy Artillery, or Ashton Strafers as we call them, makes a champion host. He and his brothers are the cooks”. The 143rd Battery known as the “Ashton Strafers” were based in Ashton-u-Lyne. They were involved in the battle of Tumbitza farm from 17th November to 7th December 1916. During 1917 there was comparatively little activity on the British part of the front in Macedonia, due in part to complex political changes in Greece throughout the year. The main fighting took place around Lake Doiran, where the line was adjusted several times by each side early in the year. In April 1917, the British attacked, gained a considerable amount of ground and resisted strong counter-attacks. In May, the Bulgarians attacked the British positions, but were firmly repulsed. By early 1917 the troops who fought in the Salonika area were plagued with malaria carrying mosquitoes, illness affected the great majority of troops serving there. Harold died from the fever that struck him down.

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