Born 25th May 1917, Midshipman
Pat Jackson was a student on No. 4 Air Course at 20 ERFTS, Gravesend, starting
his training in May 1939.
On the 6th of August 1940
he joined 825 Squadron aboard HMS Furious until February 1941. He
then transferred to HMS Victorious where on the 24th of May 1941,
Jackson along with his crew
A/S-Lt. David Anthony Berrill, RN and LA F. G. Sparkes participated in
the attack on the Bismarck in Swordfish 5H:V4337
along with another eight
Swordfish from 825 squadron. Out of fuel while searching for the
Bismarck, Jackson ditched in the North Atlantic.
Here
is his incredible story of survival.
On the 5th of July 1941 Jackson
transferred to 768 Squadron at HMS Condor (air station at Arbroath) and
on the 15th of March 1942, he became Commanding Officer of 768 Squadron.
He moved to HMS Daedalus
(RN air station at Lee-on-Solent) in February 1943 and again transferred
in March 1943 to HMS Saker
(as part of the British
Admiralty Delegation, Washington, DC) until March 1944, when he became
Lieutenant Commander (Flying), HMS Searcher (escort carrier) until July
1945.
Commander Patrick Bernard
Jackson passed away on the 2nd of October 2004.
Here is Commander Jackson's obituary from the Daily Telegraph.