Walter Jackson who was born about 1883, was the 3rd son of Edward & Elizabeth Jackson (nee Rigby) who had married in Croydon in 1877. (Croydon Vol. 2a, Page 323)
Walter was first recorded on a census in 1891. He was living at Huyton Road, Huyton with Roby, Lancashire, with his large family. Head of the household was Edward Jackson, 42, a Paint Manufacturer’s Agent who had been born in Lancaster, Lancashire. His wife, Elizabeth, who was 39 had been born in Croydon, Surrey. Their listed children were Edward W 11 and Harold 10 (had both been born in Liverpool). Walter 8, Arthur 5, Mildred A 3 and Edwin R 1 month had all been born in Huyton, Lancashire. Another son Isaac W.P. had been born in Wavertree, Lancashire. There were 4 servants, including 2 Nurses, one of whom was an Obstetrical Nurse.
By 1901 the family had moved to 1, Hoscote Park, West Kirby, Cheshire. Edward, 52 was still a Paint Manufacturer’s Agent. Elizabeth was then 49. The children were listed as Edward W 21, Walter, 18, Grace E. 17, Arthur W 15, was a Clerk (African Trade), Mildred A was 13, Isaac W.P 12 and Edwin R. 10. There was a visitor, Harold T. Wilson, aged 11. 2 Servants made up the household.
Another house move was made between the censuses as the 1911 shows the family living in “White Bund,” (or Band?), Gt. Meols, Cheshire, which had 10 Rooms. Edward was still an Agent – “Paint Manufacturers”(Consulting Agent), he was 62. Elizabeth, his wife of 33 years was 59 had had given birth to 8 children who were all still living. Edward William was 31, single and was a Commission Agent. Walter was 28, and was a Clerk in the African Trade. Grace Egerton was 27. These were the only ‘children’ recorded in the household on census night. Sarah Reid, 43 and Charlotte Christian Johnson 36, were still servants in the household as they had been on the 1901 census.
At some point after the 1911 census, Walter Jackson went to live in Canada. There is an index card for him in the Flintshire Roll of Honour in The County Record Office in Hawarden (Overton card F 13). This card tells us something of his story. The address given was Ivy Cottage Overton on Dee. His regiment, regimental number and rank were quoted as above. The card tells us that he served from 21st February 1916 to the 9th October 1917 when he died and goes on to say that he had come over from British Columbia, Canada to join the British Army having been refused on health grounds by the Canadian Army. He was twice wounded and missing when on his way to a base Hospital on the 9th October 1917. He was subsequently deemed to have officially died on that day. The card had been signed by his Mother Elizabeth Jackson on the 1st January 1919
(He had returned to the UK from Canada on the ship ‘Adriatic’ on the 23rd January 1916 at the age of 34. The address he had given at that time was Ivy Cottage, Overton, Nr. Ellesmere).
The England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966, 1973-1995 includes an entry for Walter Jackson of Ivy Cottage, Overton-on-Dee near Ellesmere, Salop. He had died on or since 9 October 1917 in France or Belgium. Administration London 4th February to his sisters Grace Egerton Jackson and Mildred Ashton Jackson spinsters. Effects £375 17s 6d.
I contacted Arthur Jackson via his family tree on Ancestry who kindly replied with this resume of his family.
Hi Mavis,
Yes, it is the same Walter – he was my great uncle.
As far as I know, the Jacksons were farm labourers in and around Yealand Conyers for a number of generations. Then Isaac Jackson 1815-1889 (Walter’s grandfather) started a paint and oil manufacturing business in Liverpool and managed to make some money. Walter’s father Edward (my great grandfather) carried on the business and also played cricket for Lancashire.
Walter’s grandfather on his mother’s side, William Rigby, was brother to Thomas Rigby, who made a fortune in the wine and spirits trade in Liverpool, where there is still a pub named after him.
I have Walter’s death penny here. I have invited you to view my tree and would be very grateful if you could share any information you have about Walter with me also.
Best Regards. Arthur Jackson
