The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. P F Jackson

Peter Frederick Jackson, from West Norwood, London was born in March 1919, the son of George Arthur Jackson (1890-1963) and Winifred Eleanor Jackson (nee Greenslade 1894-1975).

After leaving school he worked in an advertising agency.

He joined the RAFVR about October 1937 as an Airman u/t Pilot.

Jackson married Peggy Rouse in mid-1939 in Lambeth, London.

Called up on 1st September 1939, he arrived at 11 Group Pool, St Athan the next day. After converting to Blenheims he was posted to 604 Squadron at Hendon on the 13th.

He damaged a Ju88 caught in searchlights on 6th December 1940. When about to attack a Ju88 on 22nd December Jackson was fired on by its rear gunner and badly cut about the head and face.

He ordered his AI operator, Sgt. AA O'Leary, to bale out and in spite of his face being covered in blood and only being able to see with one eye he returned to Middle Wallop.

Without wireless aid and in poor visibility he made a crash-landing in Beaufighter R2091.

Above: Jackson after the award of the DFM

Below: his portrait was made by Eric Kennington

Awarded the DFM (gazetted 14th January 1941), Jackson was commissioned in April 1941.

On 29th May he went on an air-sea firing exercise in Beaufighter IF R2073 to Chesil Beach, with Sgt. SN Hawke and a new Australian pilot, Sgt. PH Boulton. While the exercise was in progress clouds came in from the sea and blanketed the Dorset hills. Instead of climbing above them Jackson flew through and crashed into high ground near Swanage. All three men were killed.

Jackson was 22.

He was cremated at Golders Green Crematorium. Hendon.

All images courtesy of Jackson's niece Liz Blande.