Sergeant George Jackson

George Jackson was born in Goldthorpe, South Yorkshire. At the outbreak of war, he was a coal miner and therefore exempt from military service. His service record lists his trade on enlistment as 'Machine Hand'.

Married with two small children, Margaret aged 2 and her brother Lewis aged 1, he volunteered for service on the Monday after the Christmas holidays, 6 January 1941.

When called up, he joined the 13th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment, August 1941. This regiment was forcibly converted (by volunteer) to the 8th (Midlands) Parachute Battalion in November 1942. He did not undertake parachute jump instruction, instead George became a  Driver/Mechanic in the MT Platoon, 8th Para Bn.  

With the 8th Para Bn, George was involved with operations in the Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge). His service record states he embarked 25 December 1944.  Then on 25 March 1945 George leaves the UK again to take part in The Rhine Crossing (Operation Varsity). Not long after the end of the war on 22 September 1945 George leaves the UK with the MELF to Palestine. He was de-mobilised in April 1948.

Awarded: France & Germany Star, War Medal, Defence Medal, 1939-45 Star, GSM Palestine.

Photo taken 1945 in Holland/Germany, George second from left with members of the Battalion Motor Transport Platoon. Humber Heavy Utility vehicle in the background.