Frederick Harry Jackson

     Frederick Harry Jackson, son of Thomas Jackson and Alice Maud Bull, was born in Burton Upon Trent, Staffordshire, on Tuesday, 15 September 1908, Register Book 154, Entry #486 - Burton on Trent. Registered on 8 Oct.1908. Certificate held by Martin Jackson.¹
          Frederick Harry Jackson was baptised on Sunday, 11 October 1908 in The Primitive Methodist Chapel, All Saints Parish, Burton Upon Trent, Staffordshire, Certificate states - 'Frederick Harry, son of Thomas (Engine Driver) and Alice Maud Jackson of Burton on Trent.' Certificate held by Martin Jackson.²

     The 1911 U.K.Census listed him as a son of the Head of Household - Thomas Jackson, at 31 South Oak Street, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire, who is recorded as -
          Thomas Jackson     Head     38     Married 12 years     Stationary Engine Driver     Brewery     STS. Burton on Trent.³
     Frederick's entry for the 1911 Census was recorded as -
          Frederick Harry Jackson     Son     2     ---     STS. Burton on Trent.³

     Frederick Harry Jackson (5) was usually known as Fred.
Fred was first educated in Broadway Infant School, Burton Upon Trent, Staffordshire, where the Headmaster was a Mr. 'Gaffer' Fox. After winning a Scholarship place, he was next educated between 15 Sep 1921 and 1925 at The Grammar School, Bond Street, Burton Upon Trent, Staffordshire.
In July 1925 at the age of 16 years, he passed his Matriculation in the following subjects:- English; English History; Geography; French and Spoken French; Mathematics; Physics & Natural History. - Index number 592 - Burton on Trent.⁴
After leaving school in 1925 he became a Photographic Apprentice to Norman Marson, a Photographer in Burton Upon Trent, Staffordshire. In 1929 Fred worked as a Photographer with a Company in Colchester, Essex, who provided a photographic service on the Orient Line cruise ships out of Southampton, initially on North Atlantic routes to Iceland, Norway and Denmark.
Between 1929 and 1931 Fred worked as a Photographer in Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire, then between 1931 and 1933 he worked as a freelance photographer with the White Star Line.
Later in 1933 and up to 1939 Fred was employed as a contract photographer to Cunard on the 'Aquitania' and 'Carinthia', principally on the Southampton - New York - Caribbean - Rio de Janeiro routes making about 100 crossings of the Atlantic Ocean.⁴



     Frederick Harry Jackson was married to Lilian Healy on Saturday, 28 November 1936 at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, Epsom, Surrey.
      Register Entry - "#120 - at St.Josephs' Roman Catholic Church, Heathcote Road, Epsom, Surrey, on 28 Nov 1936. Frederick Harry Jackson, Bachelor, age 28, Ships Photographer, Merchant Service, of 2 Forest Villas, Ashurst, Lyndhurst, Hampshire, son of Thomas Jackson, Brewer's Maintenance Engineer, Retired, and Lilian May Healy, age 28, Hospital Nurse, of 267 Hook Road, Epsom, Surrey, daughter of Martin Healy, Downs Bailiff, according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Roman Catholics. Witnessed by Martin Healy, Thomas Jackson and Ernest J.Bettley (Best Man)."⁵
     
     In 1939, Fred became manager of a Photographic shop owned by Cyril Howe in Milsom Street, Bath, Somerset. Martin was born in September 1939 and with the onset of War Lilian and Martin went to stay at Waverley, Woodville.

On 1 Apr 1940 Fred lodged at 13 Moody Street, Congleton, Cheshire, having moved from Bath to become Manager of Marson's Photographers in the High Street in Congleton. He found 'digs' with a Mrs. Sansome and family, Lilian and Martin went to Hollington by 7 April 1940. Afterwards the family moved in to shop accommodation where Margaret Eleanor was born in January 1941.

Because of his age, he was not initially “called-up” for War Service, but joined the Local Defence Volunteers (Dad’s Army). He was called up for service in the Royal Navy in the June of 1941, Basic Training taking place at HMS Glendower, Pwllheli, this was followed by Trade Training in the Isle of Man. On joining his first ship they were employed on convoy escort duties in the Mediterranean, on HMS Beaufort. Fred witnessed the sinking of HMS Coventry in Sept 1942 and luckily took photographs of the event. He was Mentioned in Despatches, London Gazette, page 4450, 13 October 1942, ' for skill and devotion to duty:' copy held by mfj.
At the end of World War II he was awarded the following Medals - 1939-45 Star; The Africa Star with Oak leaf; The Italy Star and the General War Medal. The medals are currently in the possession of his son Martin.

After demobilization, the family initially stayed at Hollington but moved to Congleton, where they stayed at “The Gables”, Mosley, Congleton, Cheshire, with Mr & Mrs. Heaton. During this time Fred was undergoing training at Manchester Technical College.

     After completion of his College training in 1946, he became a Photographer with 'The Chronicle' newspapers, in Congleton for 10 years.
     From Nov 1946 to Mar 1956 the family lived at 13 Moody Street, Congleton, Cheshire, the rented house that was available when he took up employment with Mr Lionel Head, proprietor of the Chronicle Newspapers.

Fred was elected to Congleton Town Council, as an Independent Councilor in 1948, at his third attempt.

     On April 1st. 1956 the family moved to Leek in Staffordshire. He had decided to run his own Photographic Business in the town. He took a lease on premises at 65 St. Edward Street and then moved across to 56 St. Edward Street. In 1961 the family moved to 26 Market Place, Leek but refurbished a new shop lower down the Market Place at No.19 and the family stayed at the new premises until he retired and sold the Business.⁶
     He was elected Chairman of Leek & Moorlands Council on 7 Jul 1968 in Leek, Staffordshire.

     It is interesting to note that 26 Market Place, Leek was previously occupied by Elizabeth Tipper #3950, husband William Warrington and family between 1867 and at least 1891.⁶
     
Fred & Lilian retired in Jul 1976 and moved to "Greystones" in Stockwell Street, Leek..⁴

     Frederick wrote his Will on 29 July 1976. Executors Margaret Eleanor Keates, daughter and David Keates, son in law. The Will was Proved at the Probate Registry in Birmingham, on 18th.May 1987. Value £5678.75.⁴

     Frederick died on Tuesday, 29 April 1980 in 'Greystones', Stockwell Street, Leek, Staffordshire,
     Certificate - Entry #271 - Registered at Leek, on 29 April 1980. age 71 years, of Heart Failure, Occupation - Professional Photographer (Retired) Reported by son, Martin Jackson. Certificate held by mfj.. He was survived by his wife, Lilian.⁶ Frederick Harry Jackson was Cremated in The City Crematorium, Hanley, Staffordshire, on Friday, 2 May 1980.
His Ashes were placed in the Garden of Remembrance at St.Edward's Churchyard, Leek.⁴