Jackson, John Francis (Flight Lieutenant, b.1908 - d.1942)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of 493 Flight Lieutenant John Francis Jackson DFC, No.3 and No.75 Squadrons, North Africa, Syria, and New Guinea, 1939-1942. Collection consists of four diaries and letters written from Jackson to his wife Elizabeth Jackson, his mother, sister Edith, and brother Leslie. The diaries cover the period from his embarkation in October 1940 until November 1941.

The collection of letters begins with a letter to Jackson from his mother, dated 27 September 1939. In the letter she writes "It is not the Germans that we are fighting, but hate, greed and all their un-lovely 'characteristics' that have crept into their nation - corroding the finer parts of the nations' people". Jackson's letters are largely written to his wife Elizabeth 'Betty' Jackson. He writes lovingly to her, and during his time in training and in North Africa, discusses his homesickness, the squadrons' aerial combats, leave in Alexandria and Cairo, the 16mm film he took as a keen amateur film-maker, and his brothers and friends. His brothers, Squadron Leaders Leslie 'Les' Douglas Jackson (270520) and Edward 'Ed' Hamilton Bell Jackson (270530) both enlisted in November 1939, and at various points served alongside their brother overseas. John Jackson's frequently mentioned friends include Wing Commander Patrick "Prim" Primrose (270447), Squadron Leader Peter Turnbull (481), Flight Lieutenant William Edward Carson (404168), and Flight Lieutenant Kenneth Francis Carson (404233). Throughout his letters, Jackson repeatedly acknowledges the bravery and value of women serving on the home front.

In a letter dated 9 January 1941 he describes the events captured photographically (P12424.013) of an accident which occurred during take-off: "My plane cut out a week or so ago taking off & ended up nosing over in a wadi - providence again- could have been very serious as I couldn't miss the wadi - didn't get a scratch".

During his time in the North African Campaign, Jackson takes an Italian prisoner of war, Giorgio Rizzo, as his batman. Jackson first mentions Rizzo in a letter dated 16 March 1941, and in subsequent letters reveals that Rizzo was a tailor before he was conscripted. When Jackson and his squadron salvage German silk parachutes, Giorgio is said to have made them into silk pyjamas, shirts, and handkerchiefs.

Other letters describe the exploits of his friends, such as that dated 1 August 1941, in which he retells the forced landing of Squadron Leader Frank Fischer (250626) behind enemy lines, Fischer's survival in the desert, and his evasion of Vichy French forces with the help of local Arab peoples.

The collection includes a number of letters written to Jackson from his friends and family while Jackson is on leave and employed in the RAAF in Australia, keeping him informed of No.3 Squadron news and congratulating him for the awarding of the Distinguished Flying Cross. Some of these are written before news that Jackson has gone missing in action has become widespread. Similarly, there are letters written by Jackson to his wife and mother while he was stationed at Canberra.

Additionally, there are a number of letters written to Betty from John's friends and family when he is reported missing, reassuring her that the local population in New Guinea are friendly and helpful towards Australians. This file includes a letter written by John to Betty following his ditching into the sea, and records his account of making his way back to No.75 Squadron. He writes of his return to Port Moresby with the help of two young men from New Guinea. Despite injuries he sustains to his feet and the difficulties this causes in walking, and the meals of paw paw, on which he satirically refers to as "Living on the fat of the land", he and his rescuers walk from Busama to the village of Mapos in the mountains. From here he got word to members of the New Guinea Volunteer Rifles, who accompany him to Wau where he was picked up by plane and returned to Port Moresby on 23 April.

Just five days later Squadron Leader Jackson was killed in action leading a flight of four other pilots against a force of eight Japanese bombers and it's escort of Zero fighters. This collection contains 23 letters written to his wife and family from friends of Jackson expressing their sorrow for his loss.