23892 PteThomas Jackson, 6th Bn King's Own Royal Lancaster Regt.
A weaver at Sandygate Mill, Burnley, Thomas, who lived at 88 Nairne Street, was born in the town in 1887. Connected with Mitre St Sunday School, he was, for a time, a regular player for their football team (where he played in the full-back position). Thomas was conscripted into the army in June 1916 and sent to join the 6th Bn King's Own in Mesopotamia in October 1916. He was involved in various actions in Mesopotamia, and he was amongst the first troops to enter Baghdad on 11 March 1917. Thomas was looking forward to a month's leave in India when he died of malaria on 24 August 1918. He is now commemorated on the Tehran Memorial, Iran.
Research by David O'Mara, Croonaert Research Services.
