Pte 21976 Matthew Flood Jackson

• Age: 31
• From: Ledsham, Cheshire
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• Died Sunday 24th January 1915
• Commemorated at: Toxteth Park Cem Liverpool
  Panel Ref: I.CE.290

Matthew Flood Jackson was born in Ledsham, Cheshire on the 17th February 1882 the son of Matthew Henry Flood Jackson and his wife Lucy (nee Smith). His parents married in 1881 at St. Andrew's Church, Bebington. Matthew was baptised at St. Andrew's on the 29th April 1883.

The 1891 Census shows that the family are living on the Isle of Man. Their address is recorded as Driun, Kerrowmoar, Lezayre, Isle of Man. Matthew is 8 years of age and lives with his mother and three siblings. His mother is shown as the head of the household, her husband being away at sea, she is 34 years of age and was born in Cheshire. His siblings, all born in Cheshire, are shown as Geoffrey F. aged 6, Leslie F. aged 4 and Howel F. aged 2. Also present is Mary Jackson listed as sister and two servants.

Matthew's sporting prowess is shown in a report from the Isle of Man Times and General Advertiser 30th July 1898

RAMSAY GRAMMAR SCHOOL SPORTS

The school Challenge Shield (a very handsome one 18" by 14") presented by the school trustees and the headmaster, was won for the first time by Matthew Flood Jackson, he was first in five events. Jackson is captain of the football, and vice captain of the cricket XI, and has been longer in the school than any boy (9 years) having entered when he was 6 years of age. He is the son of Captain M.H. Jackson of Ash Hill, Lezayre.

Matthew is not listed at the family address in the 1901 Census, the family were resident at Ballacree, Lezayre, Isle of Man. His mother is again head of the household, his father away at sea, his three brothers are present and are joined by two sisters, Ruby F. aged 18 and Eileen F. aged 9. Matthew was at this time serving with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
 
A report in the Greenock Telegraph and Clyde Shipping Gazette 28th Jan 1902 previews his forthcoming service in South Africa.

LOCAL VOLUNTEERS FOR SOUTH AFRICA

More Enrolments

Taking advantage of the opportunity given yesterday, 10 more men belonging to 1st Renfrew, enrolled their names at headquarters in 3rd Active Service Company of Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. The medical examination of the men was made this afternoon by Surgeon Captain Thomas Philip in presence of Colonel Lamont, Captain and Adjutant Kennedy, and other officers connected with the Battalion. At the close of the following, 9 men were certified fit for serving at the front.

.....

F Company - Matthew Flood Jackson

The above, with the list given yesterday, brings the number accepted from 1st Renfrew for the relieving company up to 40 - a total which does the greatest credit to the patriotism of this fine regiment. As already stated, the the contingent leaves Greenock at 8:30 o'clock, tomorrow morning, for Stirling Castle.

On the 1911 Census the family are at Ballakaneen, Isle of Man, Matthew Flood Jackson is again missing. His father, Matthew Henry is a 67 year old retired master mariner born in Leeds, whilst his mother Lucy is recorded as being 54 born in Doddleston, Cheshire. His  Aunt Mary Emblin Jackson aged 69 and born in Leeds is also present as are his siblings; Eileen M. 19 b. Lezayre, IOM, Howel 22 engineer b. Ledsham, Cheshire.

Matthew enlisted at Prescot on 24^th November 1914 joining the 17th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 21976. He was aged 31 years 9 months, and advised that he was born in Ledsham, Cheshire and gave his occupation as a marine engineer. On enlistment he declared that he had previous service with the 1^st Volunteer Battalion (4 years) and the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (6 months). He gave his next of kin as Matthew Henry Flood Jackson (presumably his father), “Ballykaneen”, Kirkandreas, Isle of Man. There is a note that he had earned the 1902 South Africa Medal and was unmarried. His service records are badly damaged but show that he stated that he was born in Ledsham, Cheshire, his height 5' ?", and weight 13?. He had a tattoo of the 3 Legs of Man on his left forearm.

On 24^th January 1915, his service records are noted as: “stayed at home with influenza, subsequently developing measles from which he died at his residence - no other details are available to the Medical Officer who was in no way consulted by the GP in charge of the case”.

His death was reported in the Ramsey Courier 29th Jan 1915

DEATH OF MR M. JACKSON

On Sunday, Captain M.H. Flood Jackson, of Ballakaneen, received the sad and unexpected intelligence that is eldest son, Mr Matthew Flood Jackson had died suddenly from bronchial pneumonia developed while he was training with His Majesty's Forces near Liverpool. Mr Jackson was an engineer of the Holt Line, of which his father was Commodore, and he saw active service with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in the South African War. At the time of his death he was attached to the First Battalion of the King's Liverpool Regiment. His brother, Leslie, who is in the same regiment was present at the time of his death. The deepest sympathy will be felt with the bereaved Captain and family. The funeral took place on Wednesday. 

Matthew now rests at Toxteth Cemetery, Grave O.NC.629.

There are 288 First World War burials in the Cemetery.

His records show that in July 1920  his immediate family were his mother, Lucy Flood Jackson, of “Ballykaneen”, Kirkandreas, Isle of Man,  his three brothers (Geoffrey Flood Jackson, 36 years, of 96 Mulgrave Street, Liverpool; Leslie, aged 34 and Howell, aged 32) and 2 sisters (Lucy Emblin Flood Matthews of Oxford and Eileen Mary, who still lived with her mother. Matthew (Junior)’s death certificate shows that he died as described above at 96 Mulgrave Street, aged 31 years, and his death was registered by his brother, Geoffrey, of that address.

Soldiers Effects to father Matthew Hy., no Pension record has been found.

Matthew is commemorated on the Isle of Man Roll of Honour.

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