Mexborough and Swinton Times, August 2, 1919

The Swinton V.C.
A Fine Tribute by His Native Town.
Impressive Parade of Discharged Soldiers.
Captain Frisby’s Story of a Great Deed.

Probably the most impressive scene ever witnessed in Swinton was “staged” outside the Free Library on Thursday evening, when in the presence of a great crowd the portrait in oils of the late Corporal Thomas Norman Jackson V.C., 1st Coldstream Guards, son of .Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Jackson, of Market Street. Swinton, was unveiled by Captain Cyril Hubert, V.C., Corporal Jackson’s officer and associate in, the thrilling adventure which gained them both the Victoria Cross

The story of Corporal Jackson is well known and the account of his gallant deed was told in considerable detail by Captain Frisby to a hushed audience.

Captain Frisby, who had travelled from London, was met at the station and was received at the Free Library by seven Guardsmen, four Grenadiers and three Coldstreamers, all Swinton men, now demobilised.

Their names were: Sergt Draper (in charge), J. Jackson, G. Jackson, T. Jackson, H. W. Thompson, H. Smith, and G. Brown. Those men formed a guard of honour, flanking the portrait, which was veiled in a Union Jack and placed in front of the flagstaff, in a most commanding position in front of the Library, looking down Station Street.

The crowd, three or four thousand in number, were densely packed, round three sides of the library. Discharged soldiers of Swinton, Kilnhurst, Mexboro’, and Rawmarsh, to the total number of 821, under the command of Capt. M. Tyas, paraded at the Market Place, and marched up to the library, where they were given a position in the front of the gathering On the Wortley Avenue side of the building the special constables were drawn up and a place was allotted to as choir representing all the churches of the town

Article continues