Thursday, March 25, 1915
In trenches, Rue Petillon
The Battalion War Diarist wrote for this day: “Quiet day.” [1]
THIS DAY IN RMR HISTORY: March 25th is the anniversary of the birth of Thomas Edward Jackson, born in 1888 in the Borough of Islington, London, England. He came to Canada in June 1907, and by the spring of 1911 was living with his wife Rose in Northumberland County, Ontario. In 1915 he enlisted as a volunteer, with the 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles (Sherbrooke, Que.) and after serving overseas, he was demobilized as a Sergeant.
At the time the Canadian Militia was reorganized in 1920 Tom Jackson joined The Royal Montreal Regiment as a Sergeant assisting the Regiment’s then Bandmaster, Lieut. H.G. Jones. The Regimental Commanding Officer at the time was Lieut.-Col. C.B. Price, D.S.O., D.C.M.
In 1921 Jackson was commissioned as Captain and appointed Regimental Bandmaster, and Director of Music. Other than providing martial music, which encouraged smart marching, he directed the band during the summer band concerts held in Westmount Park, and in other parks throughout the City of Montreal under the auspices of the Campbell Estate. Over a period of time the band earned a number of trophies. Captain Tom Jackson was a life-member of the Canadian Bandmasters Association and served as the association President.
He was a long-time resident of St. Hubert, Que. For over forty years Tom Jackson worked for the Canadian National Railway handling recreation activities for the railways employees in the Montreal area. Captain Jackson’s musical activities with the CNR were many and varied, including a 65 piece orchestra, dance bands and a choral society. He also taught a class on band instruments at Lower Canada College for several years. He retired as Secretary of CNR Recreation.
On 25th February 1957 he retired as Regimental Bandmaster at the age of 69. He enjoyed his last days in England until 21 June 1968 when he died at the age of 80 at Canterbury, Kent, England, survived by his wife, three daughters and seven grandchildren.
[1] War Diary, 14th Canadian Battalion, The Royal Montreal Regiment, March 25, 1915. Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/e/e044/e001089702.jpg
[2] From notes by the late Major Paul Barre, (Ret’d), R.M.R. Intercom 1983; and from The Gazette, Montreal, Wednesday, June 26, 1968, pg.22, col. 4.