WILLIAM JACKMAN

Private 241378

William Henry Jackman’s early life is, for the moment, something of a mystery. There are indications that he was born in Yealmpton, lived in “Alston” (presumably housing associated with Alston Hall) and enlisted at Plymouth. A family called Jackman lived at Sunnybank Cottage, Newton Ferrers, during World War 1, but whether this is William Henry’s family is not known.

William Jackman enlisted into the 7^th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment (7 RWK). On 20 March 1918 the battalion was holding the front line near Moy. The battalion war diary for that day reports “enemy massing in large numbers”. The next day saw the start of the massive German spring offensive, as enemy troops advanced under the cover of dense mist. By mid morning the battalion HQ and three companies were surrounded and cut off. The survivors gradually fell back, but the casualties were enormous – estimated at 20 officers, including the Commanding Officer, and some 577 men. Over the next four days what remained of 7 RWK continued to withdraw, through Rouez, Villequier Aumont, Commenchon and finally to behind Baboeuf.

Sometime during this desperate fighting William Jackman was wounded, perhaps on the first day when the battalion suffered its greatest number of casualties. He died of his wounds on 25 March 1918.

He is remembered with honour at Roye New British Cemetery (Sp.Mem.B.7)