The scarce Military Medal group of four to 8/2019 Sgt. Claude William Jackson, who was wounded on during the assault on Chunuk Bair, and later won the Military Medal for his bravery in action during the Battle of Messines before being killed in action at Polderhoek Chateau.

 

Claude William Jackson was born on 11th August 1894 at Kaitangata, New Zealand. Son of Thomas James and Annie Jackson. He was educated at North Invercargill School and at the time of his enlistment in the NZEF in 1915, Jackson was working as a clerk for A and MacPherson of Invercargill. Jackson embarked with the 5th Reinforcements, and arrival in Egypt, was immediately embarked for Gallipoli. The 5th Reinforcements arrived in the midst of the battle raging for the crest of Chunuk Bair, and were pressed into immediate action. At some point during these chaotic days, probably on 9th August, he suffered a gunshot wound to his hand and foot and was evacuated to Egypt. Upon recovery he returned to Lemnos in October 1915 and may well have returned to the peninsula at Anzac, but records have not confirmed this.

 

Transferring to the Western Front in April 1916, Jackson served with 1st Battalion, Otago Infantry Regiment. He was promoted to corporal in October 1916, during the Battle of the Somme. During the Battle of Messines Jackson served as a battalion signaller, performing acts of bravery which earned him the Military Medal (L.G. 16/8/1917):"Corporal Jackson, Battalion Headquarters Signaller, throughout the taking of Messines on 7th June 1917, and after its capture, displayed great courage in repairing the telephone wires under very heavy shell fire. The enemy shelled our position continuously and the lines were time and again broken in several places. This NCO was untiring in his efforts to keep intact the whole system of communication, and his Commanding Officer several times personally saw him go out through the enemy barrage to repair breaks. The result was that throughout, Battalion Headquarters was always in telephonic communication with its advanced company". Jackson was subsequently promoted to sergeant in July 1917, and was in the field with his unit during the disastrous attack at Passchendaele in October 1917. During the attack at Polderhoek Chateau on 3rd December 1917, Sgt Jackson MM was killed in action. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Buttes New British Cemetery (N.Z.) Memorial, Polygon Wood.

 

The Military Medal is correctly impressed 8-2019 Cpl C. W. JACKSON. I / OTAGO R., the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal are all correctly impressed 8/2019 SJT. C.W. JACKSON. N.Z.E.F. 

 

The group is currently framed, but may be dismantled if the purchaser just requires the medals.

 

 

Service file held at Archives New Zealand