60862: Two photographs of Eric and Allan Jackson 1918

These two photographs were taken on July 28 1918 in Leyland Lancashire. They show my father Allan Jackson and his older brother Eric in their sailor suits. There was a saying at the time "Don't pay too much for the whistle", i.e. buy a quality suit and don't get distracted by the incidental details. Eric has HMS Lion on the band of his hat. My father and Eric were both born in Johannesburg where their father Harry Jackson was working with the Leyland Paint and Varnish Company. The children and my grandmother were sent back to England shortly after the outbreak of the War and my grandfather joined the Transvaal Scottish Regiment. Private No: 1974, 4th Regiment South African Infantry (South African Scottish) Transvaal Scottish. He died of Spanish Flu in barracks in Woking in October 1918, along with his brother Will who was in the same regiment. They died within a few days of each other. (I have posted a picture of Harry Bowman Jackson previously)

My grandmother was fortunate that her husband had joined a South African regiment rather than a British one as the war widow's benefits and penion were marginally higher than for British Army widows. My father's sister Joan was born after my gandfather died.

Editor's Comment:
Pte. Harry Bowman Jackson is buried in Leyland (St. Andrew) Churchyard.

His brother, Pte. 22128 William Jackson, 4th Regt. South African Infantry, died 24th October 1918, and is also buried in St. Andrew's Churchyard.