Horstead – All Saints’ Church (Alfred Jackson)

This is one of two Commonwealth War Graves at Horstead Church, commemorating the life of Alfred Jackson, born in 1914. He served in REME (the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) and was a driver, with service number 10595326.

Alfred was the son of James W. Jackson (1876-1951) and Alice S. Jackson (also, 1876-1951), who are listed in the 1939 register as living at 2, Station Cottage on Station Road in Hoveton. James worked as a heavy worker for the LNER and Alice was a housewife. This term of heavy worker is important (or would have been for those who had it) as it entitled him to extra rations for his hard work. I expect I would be designated as a heavy worker if there was a similar set-up now (I’d find a way….).

Alfred was married to Maud (Babs) Jackson of Ludham. He died at the age of 29 on 8 February 1943, but I can’t find out what happened. Also, Alfred isn’t listed on the war memorials in Horstead, Ludham, Wroxham or Hoveton and I also don’t know why he’s buried in Horstead. There was a military set-up at nearby Horstead Hall, but I don’t know if Alfred was stationed there.

I’m sure that there’s a story here, I just haven’t worked out what it is….