Thomas Rickard Jackson

A Captain with the 2nd Battalion, Thomas died on 10th of February 1944 at the age of 23.

Thomas was born at Herringfleet on 3 February 1921, a son of Brigadier-General Sir Thomas Dare Jackson D.S.O. M.V.O. 2nd Bt. and of Lady Jackson (nee Massy Lloyd). His family’s home, throughout Julius’ life, was at Herringfleet Hall, Blocka Road, Herringfleet. Thomas was a student at Trinity College, Cambridge.

Thomas attended 161, or 163 Officer Cadet Unit, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Coldstream Guards on 8 March 1941. He was posted to the 2nd Battalion and served in North Africa and Italy. 

Within the regiment Thomas achieved almost legendary status (and for more information see the 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards 1939-45 Facebook page). He was known as ‘ever smiling’ and often carried a German submachine gun that he had ‘liberated’ in North Africa. In February 1944 he served with No 1 Company.

On 10 February the 2nd Battalion were holding positions on Monte Ornito. During that morning Thomas had been sitting at his company headquarters when the Padre visited. When Thomas stood up to greet the Padre a lump of shrapnel fell where Thomas had been sitting. Thomas was reputed to have said ‘This seems to be my lucky day.’
 

Later that day the Germans launched an attack on No 2 and No 3 Companies positions at Point 711. 
Artillery support was not effective, and the situation became very precarious for the two companies. Thomas, led No 7 Platoon, of his company, to reinforce the situation. To do this they had to cross dangerous broken ground, but were able to pin down the enemy.  

Thomas was hit in the head by machine-gun fire. He is reputed to have said to his Sergeant, Sergeant Marshall, ‘Get on, never mind me’ and the men of No 7 Platoon pressed on with the attack. At that moment a shell fell directly on Thomas’ position, and he was killed.  

Thomas was buried at map reference 859035 and, in 1948, he was reburied at Casino Military Cemetery.    

Thomas’ brother, Julius, served with the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and died in 1943.