Eight: Sergeant W. H. Jackman, Royal Tank Regiment

India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1930-31 (7878057 Pte. W. J. Jackman. R. Tks.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Korea 1950-53, 1st issue (7878057 Sjt. W. H. Jackman. R.A.C.); U.N. Korea 1950-54; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, E.II.R. (7878057 Sgt. W. Jackman. R.A.C.) this last with official corrections to naming, mounted court-style for display, very fine (8) £300-£400

William Henry Jackman was born in Chittlehamholt, Devon, in 1907, and was immediately adopted by George and Mary Jackman. On 24 October 1925, aged 18, he enlisted into the Royal Tank Corps and served in the 7th Armoured Car Company. The 7 ACC was formed into three armoured car sections plus H.Q. During the 1930-31 troubles, one section was stationed at Razmak, another at Bannu and the third at Wana. The Company had many duties - Escorting duties, reconnaissance, patrols, protecting camps and at times quelling riots in cities, like Dera Ismail Khan where there were riots involving Hindus and Muslims. On 17 October 1930 the British column crossed into the Tirah Valley at Bara, six miles from Peshawar, and advanced a further seven miles to Miri Khel. Here a fortified camp was constructed from which operations against the Afridis were conducted. During those operations the armoured cars were tasked with protecting the advancing Infantry Brigade by leading from the front and then rear-guard when the Brigade retired. One man from the 7 ACC died of wounds after being shot in the stomach.

Jackman was discharged to army reserves on 10 March 1932. He decided to re-enlist into the 10th Battalion, Royal Tank Regiment on 23 November 1937. During WW2 he transferred to the 7th R.T.R and served in Europe. He was serving with ‘C’ squadron, when on 29 July 1950, it was decided to deploy that squadron to Korea as part of 29 Independent Infantry Brigade. On 12 October 1950, together with the Centurions of the 8th Hussars, ‘C’ Squadron, equipped with Churchill tanks, sailed on the Empire Fowey and arrived at Pusan on 15 November. The Squadron supported the three infantry battalions of 29 Bde, 1 Glosters, 1 Royal Northumberland Fusiliers and 1 Royal Ulster Rifles for a year, initially in atrocious winter conditions. Because of their ability to climb steep slopes and their versatility to move over paddy fields the Churchill tanks proved extremely useful in providing close fire protection. The Squadron sailed back to Southampton on the Empire Orwell on 8 October 1951. For the whole period in Korea, including the Battle of the River Imjin, the Squadron was commanded by Major Pettingell.

His final active service was in Malaya where he served in the R.A.C.

Sold with copied research including photographs and historical war diaries from the Royal Tank Museum archives.