Lloyd George Knew My Father (ePub)

This is the true story of a humble private in the British Forces during World War, written by Samuel Alfred Jackson, and presented by his daughter, Lesley Ann Jackson-Crossingham, who also writes the introduction.

Sam Jackson was an orphan and only nineteen when he was conscripted into a war that took him away from all that was familiar to a world of battle, blood and brutality. All war is horrendous, but he was persuaded to believe that his commanders were on "his side." Yet nothing prepared him for the trauma of life as a soldier being swept up in the rising ride of extremism in the Second World War or the incompetence and disinterest of his commanders..

Young Sam Jackson saw some of the worst battles of World War Two, including Tobruk and Italy. He described the battles from the view-point of a young private who soon realized that the war-machine and the class-system of Britain remained entrenched. He and his "mates" were expendable and they knew it.

He returned home, battle-scared and "shell-shocked" to the point that he would shake uncontrollably and jump with any sudden noise. There was no therapy, other than a cigarette and a strong cup of tea in those days, Long before the term PTSD was created, young soldiers like Sam Jackson had to find their own way to heal, and most used alcohol and other addictions. Because there was no healing and often little support, many of those young soldiers lived short, painful lives, even after they had been "repatriated." Yet after he wrote this book my father's life blossomed. His words, his story, his writing was his panacea. It seems the process of unburdening himself via the written word in these lined-note-books allowed the toxic memories and brutal experiences to leave his mind and body.

I hope you enjoy my Father's book. It is offered in the hope that you may also find it therapeutic and insightful, but most importantly, I hope it reminds you of the suffering and degradation that his generation endured for us all. War is horrendous, cruel and vicious to all participants. Most of his generation have now passed away; along with their many varied stories. Yet Sam Jackson can speak to those who wish to hear and listen to this Private soldier's tale.

I offer this book as a humble homage to an unknown brave soldier who, when pressured to go into yet another battle, long after he had given more than enough, refused. He risked being shot as a traitor, he risked being incarcerated, he risked ridicule and scorn along with enormous social pressure.. he risked it all because he knew, deep in his soul, that he had done enough. He risked it all because life was calling him to step out of the mud, guts and gore of battle and to live once again.

He did live, a short but wonderful life I am and will always be so proud to be his daughter.