Sergeant Harold Jackson - known as "Chummy". From Kirton, near Boston. Before the war Harold worked as a bricklayer and was an amateur boxer. In 1914 he joined the East Yorkshire Regiment. In 1915 he was wounded and returned to England to recover. In 1918, March 22nd, he made a sortie across no mans land and through enemy lines, taking notes of their positions. On his way back he bombed two enemy strongholds. Artillery used his notes to destroy others. During the subsequent battle he rescued wounded colleagues from the battlefield. For these acts he was awarded the Victoria Cross. Soon after Sergeant Jackson was awarded the V.C., he came home on leave and was met at Kirton Station by the Brass Band and given a hero’s welcome by the village. Sadly, on August 24th, aged 26 years, he was killed in action. He was buried where he fell. In 1927 his body was found and reburied in the A.I.F. war graves cemetery ear Flers on the Somme, plot 15, row A, grave 21/30. His name is recorded on the Roll of Honour in St Peter and St Paul’s Church, Kirton and is etched on the Memorial in the centre of the village.

Louise Maguire