Frederick John Jackson

1860 (age 78)

Alcester, England, United Kingdom

His first voyage in Arctic waters was on a whaling cruise in 1886–1887, and in 1893 he made a sledge-journey of 3000 miles across the frozen tundra of Siberia lying between the Ob and the Pechora. His narrative of this journey was published under the title of The Great Frozen Land (1895). On his return, he was given the command of the Jackson-Harmsworth Arctic expedition (1894—1897). Sponsored by the Royal Geographical Society, this expedition was to conduct general exploration of Franz Josef Land. Jackson informed him that they were in fact on Franz Josef Land, and with Jackson"s help, Nansen and Johansen were able to return home, departing aboard the Windward on 7 August. Jackson and his party wintered at their camp according to plan. The Jackson-Harmsworth expedition proved that Franz Josef Land is nothing more than an archipelago of small islands. His account of the expedition was published under the title of A Thousand Days in the Arctic (1899). He served in South Africa with the 5th (Militia) Battalion, Manchester Regiment, during the Second Boer War, reaching the rank of Captain. He transferred to the 4th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment in 1905, serving in the First World War and reaching the rank of Major. He resigned his commission in 1917. After being invalided home he commanded Southwark Recruiting District for two years followed by commands of a number of prisoner of war camps in Germany. His travels also include a journey across the Australian deserts. He is buried in the churchyard of Street Michael and Street Mary Magdalene at Easthampstead in Berkshire, and there is a memorial plaque on the wall of the church near the font. The plaque reads:-In memory of Frederick George Jackson Major. East Surrey Regiment Commander of the Jackson-Harmsworth polar expedition. 1894-1897. He discovered. mapped. and named the greater part of Franz Joseph Land and rescued Doctor Nansen. Died 13 March 1938 aged 78 years Sans Peur et Sans Reproche His memorial is in Street Pauls Cathedral. His grave is in this churchyard. Rest in Peace One of the headlands discovered on the expedition was named Street Chad"s Head (Denstone College was originally called Street Chad"s College), and the sledge used was presented to Denstone College.

Frederick John Jackson

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explorer military polar explorer

Background

He was born the son of George Frederick and Mary Elizabeth Jackson at Alcester Lodge, Alcester, Warwickshire, England and educated at Denstone College in Staffordshire and Edinburgh University.

Education

Shrewsbury; Jesus College, Cambridge.

Career

His first voyage in Arctic waters was on a whaling cruise in 1886–1887, and in 1893 he made a sledge-journey of 3000 miles across the frozen tundra of Siberia lying between the Ob and the Pechora. His narrative of this journey was published under the title of The Great Frozen Land (1895). On his return, he was given the command of the Jackson-Harmsworth Arctic expedition (1894—1897).

Sponsored by the Royal Geographical Society, this expedition was to conduct general exploration of Franz Josef Land.

Jackson informed him that they were in fact on Franz Josef Land, and with Jackson"s help, Nansen and Johansen were able to return home, departing aboard the Windward on 7 August. Jackson and his party wintered at their camp according to plan.

The Jackson-Harmsworth expedition proved that Franz Josef Land is nothing more than an archipelago of small islands. His account of the expedition was published under the title of A Thousand Days in the Arctic (1899).

He served in South Africa with the 5th (Militia) Battalion, Manchester Regiment, during the Second Boer War, reaching the rank of Captain.

He transferred to the 4th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment in 1905, serving in the First World War and reaching the rank of Major. He resigned his commission in 1917. After being invalided home he commanded Southwark Recruiting District for two years followed by commands of a number of prisoner of war camps in Germany.

His travels also include a journey across the Australian deserts.

He is buried in the churchyard of Street Michael and Street Mary Magdalene at Easthampstead in Berkshire, and there is a memorial plaque on the wall of the church near the font. The plaque reads:-In memory of Frederick George Jackson Major.

East Surrey Regiment Commander of the Jackson-Harmsworth polar expedition. 1894-1897. He discovered. mapped. and named the greater part of Franz Joseph Land and rescued Doctor Nansen.

Died 13 March 1938 aged 78 years

Sans Peur et Sans Reproche

His memorial is in Street Pauls Cathedral.

His grave is in this churchyard. Rest in Peace

One of the headlands discovered on the expedition was named Street Chad"s Head (Denstone College was originally called Street Chad"s College), and the sledge used was presented to Denstone College.

Achievements

In recognition of his services he received a knighthood of the first class of the Norwegian Royal Order of Street Olaf in 1898, and was awarded the gold medal of the Paris Geographical Society in 1899.

Membership

Clubs: Isthmian, Savile.

Connections

Spouse 1904, Aline, d, of late William Wallace Cooper, Dublin.

companion:: Fridtjof Nansen

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