Jackson, Burton Henry Peter
- Date of birth:
- November 1919
- Date of death:
- October 26th, 2006
- Nationality:
- British
Biography
Service number 95473.
Burton Jackson was educated at Cheltenham and was commissioned in the East Surrey Regiment in July 1939, direct from the Royal Military College Sandhurst.
He went to France with the British Expeditionary Force in 1940 after which he became attached to the newly formed Glider Pilot Regiment in February 1942.
He took command of E Squadron and participated in the Normandy operations in June 1944, the Arnhem operations in September 1944, and the Rhine operations in March 1944.
On D-Day his squadron of 47 Horsa gliders conveyed the main body of the 1st Battalion, Royal Ulster Rifles to a Landing Zone north-east of Ranville, while in the Arnhem operations in September 1944, his squadron had 40 pilots killed - although wounded in the fighting in the Oosterbeek perimeter, Jackson was able to make his escape by swimming 400 yards across the Rhine, to reach the south bank.
Finally, in March 1945, he led his squadron into action at the crossing of the Rhine, called Operation Varsity, landing his glider, laden with men from the 2nd Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Regiment, at Hamminkeln. Jackson transferred to the Royal Army Ordnance Corps after the War and was placed on the Retired List in the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in November 1969.
His medals were sold at an auction in july 2010 for £3500.
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Mentioned in Dispatches
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Temporary Major
- Unit:
- No. 1 Wing, Glider Pilot Regiment, Divisional Troops, 6th Airborne Division, British Army
- Awarded on:
- January 22nd, 1945
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Temporary Major
- Unit:
- No. 1 Wing, Glider Pilot Regiment, Divisional Troops, 6th Airborne Division, British Army
- Awarded on:
- August 16th, 1945
- Awarded for:
- Operation Varsity
"On 24 March 1945, this officer flew a Horsa glider during the airborne assault across the Rhine north of Wessel. Soon after release it was evident that the enemy smoke screen would make it extremely difficult to reach the desired landing area. Major Jackson, who was leading his squadron on to an important objective, pressed home to his allotted landing area. In spite of intense enemy fire and ground opposition, he landed his glider without casualties in the area briefed. This officer’s skill in the air and fine example to his men during the present operation and operations “Neptune” and “Market” has largely contributed to the high standard of flying throughout his squadron."
Silver Star Medal (SSM)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Temporary Major
- Unit:
- No. 1 Wing, Glider Pilot Regiment, 1st Airborne Division, British Army
- Awarded on:
- November 14th, 1947
- Awarded for:
- Operation Market Garden
"Major Jackson during the whole of the very severe fighting in the sector held by the unit showed a splendid spirit of fighting leadership. In spite of twice being blown from his trench by point blank fire from S.P. guns, he continued to encourage and inspire his men with pugnacious spirit and with complete disregard for personal safety set a magnificent example to all ranks. On 23 September, he was wounded again in the leg by a splinter. Despite these wounds he continued to show great unselfishness and refused to be evacuated. Major Jackson displayed great personal gallantry and his efforts were instrumental in holding a vital sector at a vital time."
Awarded for his actions during Market Garden.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Sources
- - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36994 published on the 20 March 1945
- Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 37223 published on the 14 August 1945
- Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 38122 published on the 11 November 1947
- Dix Noonan Webb
- The Times - Obituaries
Photo
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