General Discussion

News about the next service to remember a Dawlish serviceman who gave his life during World War One.  A series of services are being held on the 100th anniversary of each death.

2nd Lieut. Wilfred George Jackson will be remembered on Monday 27h April

The Manor House, commencing at 12 noon

Imagine living with the dread that your brother might be dead, and having to wait two years for this awful truth to be confirmed?  That was the sad experience of Evelyn Jackson during World War One.

Her brother, Wilfred, had gone straight from school into the army, and in April 1915 he was serving on the Western Front, aged just 19.  He was involved in action at St. Julien to relieve pressure on the Canadians during the Second Battle of Ypres.

His parents having both died, his next of kin was his sister.  She received a telegram from the War Office telling her that her brother had been wounded and taken prisoner by the Germans.

Over the following two years, nothing was heard of Wilfred.  The fear grew that he was not actually a prisoner, no communications having been received through the Red Cross.   Finally, in October 1917, came the sad news that he was now presumed to have died on 27th April 1915 during the action.   One of the countless young men whose final resting place is “Known only to God”

Wilfred George Jackson lived with his family at the Manor House.   It seems only fitting therefore that his Remembrance Service should take place there, in the place he called home.

There will be a special exhibition in the Manor House about Wilfred George Jackson, his life and the sad circumstances of his death.   This will run from April 27th until Mid June.  It includes many photographs of Wilfred and his family during their time at the Manor.

Hi Michael.

Thanks for that.