Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Lieutenant J. R. Jackson, Royal Air Force, late West Riding Regiment, who was killed in action over France on 17 June 1918, when he was shot down when returning from a ‘successful bombing expedition’

1914-15 Star (2609 Pte. J. Jackman. W. Rid. R.) in original crushed box of issue with transmittal slip; British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. J. R. Jackman. R.A.F.) nearly extremely fine (3) £160-£200

John Robinson Jackman, who was from Hughenden, Long Preston, was educated at Sedburgh School and, before the war, was in the wool industry with his father. He enlisted in the 1/6th West Riding Regiment on the outbreak of war and served in France from 14 April 1915. In September 1915, he was wounded in the eye by glass from a trench periscope which had been hit by a bullet, and in December 1915 he was commissioned Second Lieutenant. Transferring to Royal Flying Corps in November 1917, he trained as an observer with 98 Squadron, and was reported missing on 17 June 1918 after a sortie. A letter to his parents reads ‘six of us were returning after a successful bombing expedition, when we were attacked by twenty to thirty enemy machines. A fight ensued, in which two of our machines were brought down within the enemy’s lines.’

Lieutenant Jackman was flying in one of the two (Guiseley Terriers: A Small Part in the Great War by Stephen Barber, refers). He was buried at Achiet-le-Grand Communal Cemetery Extension, France.