Pte 47353 John Jackson

• Age: 44
• From: Rainford
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• Died Thursday 17th March 1921
• Commemorated at: Rainford
  Panel Ref: Old Ground

John Jackson was born on the 21st October 1876 at Rainford, the son of Richard Jackson and his wife Alice (nee Evans) who had married in 1869. He was baptised on the 12th November 1876 at All Saints Church, Rainford, at the time of his baptism his parents lived in Barton’s Row, and his father was working as a collier. They had a previous son also named John in 1875 but who sadly died in infancy the same year. 

The 1881 Census shows the family living at Pottery Field, Skelmersdale, Lancashire. John's father, Richard, is aged 33, born in Whiston in 1848 is a collier, his mother, Alice, is aged 35, born in 1846 in Bickerstaffe, and has no occupation listed. They have three children at the time of the Census; James aged 8, born 1873 and John aged 4, born 1877 are both scholars and a further son Thomas aged 1, born 1880. All of the children were born in Rainford.

It appears another son, Daniel, was born in Skelmersdale later in 1881 (mother’s maiden name Evans).

His mother seems to have died in 1883 at the  age of 36, when John was six, leaving four children under 12 years old.  

The 1891 Census shows the family living at their paternal grand-parents house at 97 Sandy Lane, Skelmersdale, Lancashire. Their grandfather, Thomas, is aged 63, born 1828 and employed as a collier under manager and was born in Whiston, Lancashire. His wife Mary is aged 62, born 1829 in Prescot and has no occupation listed. They have two children at the time of the Census, Daniel aged 25, born 1866 in St Helens and employed as a check weigh man collier and Esther aged 22, born 1869 in Rainford has no occupation listed. They have their five grandchildren living with them, James aged 18, is a colliery labourer, John aged 14,is a collier’s drawer, Thomas aged 11, Daniel aged 9, born 1882 and Jane aged 6, born 1885 are all scholars. (Jane is a cousin, daughter of their uncle John).

His father is not found on the 1891 census, but in 1901 he was 53, boarding in Scott Street, Skelmersdale, and employed as a labourer in a coal mine. He died later that year.

John married Martha Evans in 1900 at Prescot Registery Office. There are no records of children born to the marriage.

The 1901 Census shows John and his wife living at her parent’s house at Ormskirk Road, Rainford, Lancashire. Her father, John, is aged 54, born in Bickerstaffe, Lancashire in 1847 is an underground coal miner/hewer, his wife, Ellen, is aged 50, born 1851 in Rainford and has no occupation listed.  John is now aged 24 and employed as coal miner drawer (underground) and his wife Martha is aged 25, born 1879 in Rainford and has no occupation.

James 29 and Daniel 19 are living with their uncle John Jackson, a butcher, in Liverpool Road, Skelmersdale. Thomas is married and works as a coal miner in Bickerstaffe.

On 1911 Census, John is married, aged 34, and gives his occupation as a hotel manager of the former coaching station Buck-i'-th'-Vine, 35 Burscough Street, Ormskirk. His wife Martha is aged 32. They have been married for eleven years. They also have a domestic, Lilian Melia 17 living with them. [The pub still exists under that name]

John enlisted on 15th November 1915 joining the 1st Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 47353. He served overseas with his Battalion and some time after arriving in France, John was transferred to the 19th Bn. K.L.R. He was wounded on 9th April 1917. The wound is described as a slight wound to the face and he was only hospitalised for a day. However, John must have suffered either a bad wound or developed an illness exacerbated by his service. He was discharged from service on 13th December 1918 and was granted a SWB No. 60899 which was issued on the 08th January 1919. John was awarded a 20% disability pension from 14th December 1919. The pension card shows cause of discharge rheumatism. 

John died on 14th March 1921, aged 44, just three months after his wife Martha who had died on 12th December 1920, aged 42. 
He now rests at Rainford, All Saints Churchyard alongside his wife and her parents. The date of death on the headstone is incorrect as Parish records show he died on 17th March 1921.

There are 11 First World War casualties in the Churchyard.

There are no Soldiers Effects but a Pension record to guardian Gill (John's death 14th Mar 1921). Confusingly, the pension card shows “temporary guardian” Mrs. Gill, 35 Burscough Street, Ormskirk was not eligible for a pension, as “disease contracted after discharge”.

Probate was granted on 28th June 1921 and awarded to Amelia Prescott, who was Martha's married elder sister.

We currently have no further information on John Jackson. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.