53773: Leonard Jackson 54993 Bible inside front cover
My Grandfather Leonard Jackson of Millbridge near Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, was killed on the 26th of September 1917, aged 28, at Passchendaele, Belgium. There is no grave as he was blown to pieces by a shell. His name is on the Tyne Cot memorial near Ypres.
He enlisted in June 1916, joining the Royal Welsh Fusiliers as he was working in Wales at the time. He was wounded in the leg in April 1917, but was sent back to the front after treatment.
He left behind a widow, Minnie, and three little girls; Ruby aged 2, Constance aged 4, and Evelyn Mavis, my mother, aged 6. Mother always remembered walking into town with him in his uniform on his last leave, and was very proud of him.
Inside front cover of an Edward VII bible belonging to Leonard which he kept on him in France. Issued by Heckmondwike Methodist Church.
Editor's Comment:
Bible: 'Methodist Free Church Sunday School | Heckmondwick | In Commemoration | of the | Coronation | of | King Edward VII'. With paste-down image of King Edward VII in coronation regalia facing.
Pte. 54993 Leonard Jackson, 10th Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers, was killed on the opening day of the battle of Polygon Wood (the third phase of the third battle of Ypres), serving in the 3rd Division.
