Gunner Jackson was the second son of Samuel Westlake Jackson and Florence Jackson of Romford. Gunner Jackson enlisted into the Royal Field Artillery in 1915, and served 12 months on the front before being wounded in action. He was sent back to the UK to recover, and was stationed at Biscot R.F.A camp. It was while serving here that he was killed in an unfortunate accident in December 1916.

His mother Florence, who had already lost her husband and two other sons in the war, was solely dependent upon Ernest to look after her. When hearing of the full circumstances the Royal Field Artillerymen, of Biscot Camp, staged a benefit concert for her in February of 1917.