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22828 Quartermaster Sergeant
WILLIAM SKIDMORE JACOB
Royal Engineers  

by

Lieutenant Colonel Edward De Santis
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
(July 2021)  

Figure 1.  A Victorian Era Crest of the Royal Engineers.
(Image courtesy of Stuart Gase)  

1.      Introduction  

This narrative account of QMS Jacob’s military service is based on his military service record and on his medal entitlements, medal rolls, census records, family trees and campaign histories of the units in which he served.  This research has been performed because Jacob’s medals are in the author’s collection.  His group of medals consists of the following:

·         Queen’s Sudan Medal

·         Queen’s South Africa Medal with clasps [CAPE COLONY][ORANGE FREE STATE][TRANSVAAL]

·         King’s South Africa Medal with clasps [SOUTH AFRICA 1901][SOUTH AFRICA 1902]

·         Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (EVIIR)

·         Khedive’s Sudan Medal with clasp [KHARTOUM]

            Based on the references available, every effort has been made to tell QMS Jacob’s story as completely and as accurately as possible.   

2.      EARLY LIFE and Family Information

Early Life

1881 Census of England

NOTE: The census shows the family surname as Jacobs and not Jacob.  This will be discussed in detail in the Family Information section below.

            William Skidmore Jacob was born on 16 April 1868 in Sandwich, Kent,[2] an historic town and civil parish in the Dover District of Kent on the River Stour.[3]  He was the son of Frederick Augustus William Louis Jacob (1838-1906) and Laura Jane Jacob, née Skidmore (1833-1916).  Frederick and Laura Jane were married in St. Luke’s Parish, Chelsea on 12 March 1861.[4]  In addition to William, Frederick and Laura had four daughters and one son; Mary Ann Louisa Jacob (1862-1947), Hannah Laura Jacob (1864-1949), Christina Maud Jacob (1866-1940), Elizabeth Kate Jacob (1874-1965) and Fred Thomas Jacob (1876-?).[5]  Hannah Laura Jacob and Christina Maud Jacob do not appear in the 1881 census with their family.  In 1881 Hannah (aged 17) was a servant in the household of one Alice Langdon in Chelsea and Christina (aged 15) was a servant in the household of one Samuel W. Kerwood, an Ironmonger, in South Chelsea.[6]       

Family Information

            Before progressing further with this research, the question of the surname Jacobs versus Jacob must be discussed.  The 1881 British Census shows that a boy of 13 years of age by the name of William S. Jacobs (not Jacob) was residing at 45 Robert Street in Chelsea, London, Middlesex when the census data was taken.[7]  Since the census lists the family surname as Jacobs and not Jacob, one might ask how it can be assumed that this William S. Jacob(s) is the same W.S. Jacob whose medals are in the author’s collection.[8]  Let us examine some evidence that will lead us to conclude that they are the same person.

            The census record shows that the head of the household at 45 Robert Street was one Frederick Jacobs, 43 years of age.  Frederick was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.  The census record also indicates that in 1881 he was a Chelsea Pensioner, formerly a Sergeant Major in the Army.  His wife, Laura Jane Jacobs, 48 years of age, was born in Chelsea.  Now Frederick’s birthplace is interesting from the point of view that in 1838 when he was born, Halifax was a town in the making, garrisoned by British troops, and destined to be incorporated as a city only three years later.  Frederick may well have been the son of a soldier stationed at the Citadel in Halifax.  In fact, he may even have been the son of a soldier in the Corps of Royal Sapper and Miner[9] stationed there.[10]

            Further research uncovered the existence of a portion of the service papers of Frederick Jacob.  The Proceedings of a Regimental Board (War Office Form 83) was found for 4481 Sergeant Major Frederick Jacob, Royal Engineers.  This form indicates that Frederick Jacob was a sculptor and carver by trade and that he was born in the town of Halifax, Canada and that he attested for the Corps of Royal Sappers and Miners at Newcastle, Northumberland on 28 August 1856 at the age of 19 years.  The papers indicate that at the time of the board proceedings in County Galway, Ireland on 29 August 1877, Frederick Jacob was 40 years of age.  He was described as being 5 feet 9½ inches tall with a fresh complexion, grey eyes and brown hair without any visible scars on his face or other parts of his body.  His military trade is shown as sculptor and carver and he was noted to be a Foreman of Works.  As this board had convened in preparation for Frederick Jacob’s discharge from the Army, his intended place of residence after leaving the Army was noted to be Chelsea, London.

            The members of Frederick Jacob’s discharge board consisted of a captain of the Royal Irish Fusiliers and two lieutenants of the Connaught Rangers.  The proceedings show that Jacob had competed 21 years of service, of which 7 years and 98 days were served abroad at St. Helena.  The reason given for his discharge is that he was claiming discharge on the termination of his second period of limited engagement.  The board officers indicated that:

            His conduct has been very good and he was, when promoted, in possession of one Good Conduct Badge and had he not been promoted would have been in possession of four Good Conduct Badges.  He is also in possession of a Good Conduct Medal with gratuity, but has no school certificate.[11]     

Additionally, the board members indicated that Jacob had “never been entered in the regimental defaulters book or tried by court martial.”

            The Jacobs’ eldest child, Mary Ann Louisa Jacobs, was born in New Brompton, Kent in 1863.  New Brompton, now Brompton, was the home of the School of Military Engineering located on the outskirts of Chatham.  Mary was probably born there when her father was stationed at Brompton Barracks.  Hannah Laura Jacob and Christina Maud Jacob also were born in New Brompton.  William was born at Sandwich in Kent, one of the Cinque Ports,[12] and a traditional area of assignment for men of the fortress companies of the Royal Engineers.  The last two of Frederick Jacobs’ children shown on the 1881 Census were Elizabeth Kate and Fred Thomas.  Both were born on the island of St. Helena, South Africa.[13]  St. Helena was a port facility to which fortress companies of the Royal Engineers were posted to build up the defences of the island.

            The correlation between the information contained in the 1881 Census for the Jacob[s] family and that contained in Frederick Jacob’s military record clearly show that the 1881 Census pertains to William Skidmore Jacob’s family.  

3.      Enlistment AND TRAINING

Enlistment

            The service papers of William S. Jacob indicate that his middle name was Skidmore, his mother’s maiden name.  His papers consist of three sets of documents; Army Form B. 265 (Short Service Attestation, dated 1888), Army Form B. 268 (Proceedings on Discharge, dated 1909) and Army Form B. 2505 (Short Service Attestation, dated 1915).   

            William Skidmore Jacob enlisted as a Sapper in the Royal Engineers on 2 May 1888 at Dorchester, Dorset.[14]  He was assigned Regimental Number 22828 and the rank of Sapper upon his enlistment.  On this attestation paper he indicated that his place of birth was Woolwich, Kent, although this was not actually the case.  He was born in Sandwich, Kent but probably said Woolwich as that was where he was living at the time that he enlisted.  It also is the jurisdiction indicated on his birth certificate.   He stated that he was a British citizen, that he was 20 years of age and that his trade was engine driver.  He further indicated that he was living in his father’s home, that he was not and had never been an apprentice, that he was not married, had never been imprisoned and had never previously served in Her Majesty’s forces.  When asked if he had ever been rejected as unfit for military service he answered “Yes! Under chest measurement.”[15]  This rather humorous entry on his attestation form might indicate that William had previously attempted to enlist, perhaps soon after his 18^th birthday, and that he may have been rejected at that time because his minimum chest measurement did not meet the Army standard of 34 inches.

            William stated that he was willing to be vaccinated and that his preference for enlistment was the Royal Engineers.  The information contained in the attestation document was recorded by one Quartermaster Sergeant Curtis of the Dorsetshire Regiment.  Apparently his undersized chest measurement was not an obstacle to his second attempt at enlistment, as he was administered the Oath of Attestation and his attestation was certified by a colonel at the depot of the 39^th (Dorsetshire) Regiment of Foot.

            The Description on Enlistment of William Skidmore Jacob indicates that he was 20 years old, 5 feet 7½ inches tall and weighed 132 pounds.  His chest measurement was 34¾ inches (he must have taken a really deep breath).  He had a pale complexion, grey eyes, dark brown hair and no distinguishing marks.  His religious denomination was shown as Church of England.[16]

            Jacob’s Certificate of Final Medical Examination was signed by a major at Dorchester on 2 May 1888.  He was deemed fit for military service at Dorchester on 8 May 1888 and was approved for service in the Royal Engineers on that same date by the Colonel Commanding the 39^th Regiment Depot. Undoubtedly his civil occupation as an engine driver had much to do with his acceptance to serve in the Royal Engineers.

Training (2 May 1888 to 31 December 1896)

            Following his enlistment Sapper Jacob proceeded to the School of Military Engineering at Chatham, Kent where he underwent his preliminary training as an engineer soldier.[17]  On 5 March 1895 he extended his service to complete 12 years with the Colours.[18]  Following his initial training and his extension of service, and because he had been an engine driver in civilian life, Jacob probably was posted to railway duties which ultimately would get him assigned to the 8^th Railway Company, Royal Engineers in Egypt.

4. POSTINGS AND CAMPAIGN SERVICE

Egypt and the Sudan (1 January 1897 to 21 July 1899)  

            The 8^th Railway Company had been in Egypt for some time and Jacob may have joined the unit there.  By 1896 he had risen to the rank of Corporal and was assigned to a detachment of the 8^th Railway Company commanded by Lieutenant E.C. Midwinter, R.E.[19]  This detachment was employed on the Desert Railway and its extension southwards as part of the operations with the Egyptian Army for the reconquest of the Sudan from the Dervish leader known as the Khalifa.  Jacob’s Medical History Records show that he was in hospital three times at Wadi Halfa; in September 1897, February 1898 and October 1898.  The first two hospital admissions were prior to the battles at Omdurman and Khartoum, which took place on 2 September 1898.  His third entry into hospital took place in October 1898 following the battles.  He obviously remained in good health during the advance to Khartoum. 

            During the advance to the Atbara, the only regular engineer unit available to the British and Egyptian field force for general engineering duties was a small composite unit.  This unit consisted of a single fortress company (the 2^nd Company, R.E.) and the detachment of the 8^th Railway Company in which Corporal Jacob was serving.  The Egyptian Army could not afford the luxury of a field company of engineers.  There were many men, however, among the Egyptian infantry battalions, who would have been called “Pioneers” in a British unit, and in each Egyptian battalion there was at least one officer with experience in building construction.  An examination of the medal roll for the Queen’s Sudan medal, which Jacob earned for this campaign, shows him on a list of “British N.C.O.s and Men Attached to the Egyptian Army for operation in the Sudan in 1897 and for the Expedition to Khartoum in 1898.”[20]  It is very probable that Jacob was serving with an Egyptian unit to augment the field engineering capability of the Egyptian Army.  His Khedive’s Sudan Medal, also earned during these operations, was awarded with the clasp [KHARTOUM].  This clasp was issued for participation in the Battle of Omdurman on 2 September 1898.  No engineer units are listed in Gordon (1971) as being awarded this clasp.[21]  It is very likely that Jacob was attached to an Egyptian Battalion during this battle, perhaps as an NCO in a “pioneer” platoon.[22]

Figure 2.  Sir Herbert Kitchener,
Commander of the British and Egyptian Field Force
(Image courtesy of the National Army Museum)

Figure 3.  Map of the Sudan and the Dervish Empire, 1885-1896
(Map courtesy of Osprey Publishing Limited)  

            The Battle of Omdurman was fought by a British and Egyptian field force of some 23,000 men under Sir Herbert Kitchener, against a Dervish force of some 50,000 men.  The Dervish force attacked the British who were in a defensive position in a zariba,[23] with their backs to the River Nile.  The Dervish were repulsed after suffering heavy losses.  Kitchener then advanced to drive the enemy before him into Omdurman.  In the course of the battle, the Egyptian Brigade on the British right, under General Hector Macdonald, became isolated and was attacked in front by the center of the Dervish army, while his flank and rear were threatened by the Dervish left, which had not been previously engaged in the battle.  The position was critical, but through the extreme steadiness of the Sudanese, who changed front under heavy fire, the attack was repulsed.  There is a very good possibility that Corporal Jacob was involved in this action and that he was attached to one of the Egyptian or Sudanese battalions in the Egyptian Division.[24]

Figure 4.  The Battle of Omdurman, 2 September 1898.
(Map courtesy of Osprey Publishing Limited)  

            Corporal Jacob was not presented with his medals for participation in this campaign until 29 March 1899.  At that time he was at Wadi Halfa in the Northern Sudan, on the east shore of Lake Nubia.  Wadi Halfa was the northern terminus of the Desert Railway,[25] just below the second cataract on the Nile.

            On 11 May 1898, while in the Sudan, Jacob re-engaged for the Royal Engineers to complete 21 years with the Colours.[26]  In October of 1898, according to his medical records, he was back in Wadi Half and he was still there in March of 1899 based on the date shown on the medal roll for the Sudan campaign.  He apparently spent an additional three or four month in Egypt before returning home.  In fact, his medical records show that he was still in Cairo from late June to late July 1899 when he left for home.

            His service papers clearly show that he participated in the Sudan Expedition, 1897 and the Khartoum Expedition, 1898 and that he was entitled to both the Queen’s Sudan Medal and the Khedive’s Sudan Medal with clasp [KHARTOUM].  These entitlements are verified by both his service papers and the medal rolls.

Home Service (22 July 1899 to 20 October 1899)
    Corporal Jacob returned to England for a very short period of time and was posted to the 31^st Fortress Company, Royal Engineers at Chatham.  The threat of a conflict with the Boers in South Africa soon found him on his way again to foreign service. 
South Africa (21 October 1899 to 10 October 1902)

            The 31^st Fortress Company was mobilized at Chatham on 7 October 1899 for service in South Africa against the Boers.  The company embarked on board S.S. Gascon on 21 October and sailed for South Africa by way of Gibraltar under the command of Captain Frank G. Fuller, R.E.

            The mission of the 31^st Fortress Company was to serve with Army Corps Troops in South Africa in support of the railway companies on the lines of communication.  Upon arrival in South Africa, the company moved directly to De Aar in the Cape Colony to participate in this work.  De Aar was an important railway junction of the main lines from Cape Town and Port Elizabeth.

Figure 5.  S.S. Gascon.
(Photograph courtesy of Wikipedia)

            In November of 1899 the 31^st Company was assigned to the 1^st Infantry Division under Lieutenant Colonel James Birch Sharpe, the Commander Royal Engineers for that division.  The 1^st Division was with Lord Methuen’s column and was preparing to move to the relief of the besieged town of Kimberley.  On 21 November the company moved northward with Methuen’s column and arrived at Belmont Railway Station.  The Boers were driven from the hills commanding the railway at Belmont on 23 November and the engineers with the column were employed to repair the railway damage caused by the Boers during their retreat from the area.

            The 31^st Fortress Company arrived at Graspan in the Cape Colony on 25 November and on 28 November the unit took part in an attack on the Boer positions on the Modder River near Rosmead in an unsuccessful attempt to save the railway bridge there from destruction.  On 29 November the company worked on the construction of a temporary bridge to replace the one destroyed by the Boers.  This bridge was completed on 10 December. 

            The men of the 31^st Fortress Company who took part in the actions at Belmont (23 November 1899) and Modder River (28 November 1899) received clasps for their Queen’s South Africa medal for participation in these battles.[27]  Corporal Jacob did not receive the clasps for these actions.  Since he sailed with the company from England aboard the S.S. Gascon, as indicated in his medical records, he had to have been with the 31^st Company at Chatham when it sailed to South Africa.  His ineligibility for the clasps can only be the result of him being on detached duty away from the company when these two actions were fought.

            In any event, he may have rejoined the unit prior to 10 December 1899, but after 28 November when the battle was fought.  The company was still working on the Modder River bridge at that time. 

            Jacob was promoted to the rank of sergeant on 1 January 1900.  In May of 1900 the 31^st Fortress Company was serving with Army Corps Troops in the Orange Free State and on lines of communications work.  By 4 July 1900 the unit was at Naboomspruit in the Transvaal.

            On 8 July 1901, Jacob, now a Sergeant, was awarded the Queen’s South Africa Medal with clasps [CAPE COLONY][ORANGE FREE STATE][TRANSVAAL].  These clasps, known as the “state bars” were authorized for the following periods of service:[28]

·         [CAPE COLONY]:  Issued to all troops in the Cape Colony at any time between 11 October 1899 and 31 May 1902, who received no clasp for any action already specified in the Cape Colony, nor the [NATAL] clasp.

·         [ORANGE FREE STATE]:  Issued to all troops in the Orange River Colony at any time between 28 February 1900 and 31 May 1902, who received no clasp which had been already specified for an action in the Orange River Colony.

·         [TRANSVAAL]:  Issued to all troops in the Transvaal at any time between 24 May 1900 and 31 May 1902, who received no clasp for an action in the Transvaal, which had already been specified.

            At the time the medal was authorized, the 31^st Fortress Company was in Pretoria.[29]  By 31 January 1902, the 31^st Fortress Company was at Stormberg in the Cape Colony.  His service papers clearly show his entitlement to this medal.  Interestingly, his papers show his entitlement to the clasps [BELMONT] and [MODDER RIVER], but both of these entries were subsequently crossed out leaving him with the entitlements only to the state bars.  Apparently when the medal roll was produced it was assumed that Jacob was entitled to these clasps since he was a member of the 31^st Fortress Company.  At some point an officer must have recognized that he was not with the unit during the actions at Belmont and the Modder River and had his eligibility for those clasps deleted.

Figure 6.  Royal Engineers Crest, Edward VII Era.
(Image courtesy of Stuart Gase)  

Home Service (11 October 1902 to 1 May 1909)  

            Sergeant Jacob returned to England with his company aboard H.M.T. Dunera at the end of the South African War under the command of Captain A.M. Henniker, R.E.  He remained with the 31^st Fortress Company at Canterbury until it was disbanded on 31 December 1902.  At that time it appears that he was transferred to “D” Depot Company, Royal Engineers Training Battalion at Chatham.  On 21 August 1903 he was awarded the King’s South Africa Medal with clasps [SOUTH AFRICA 1901][SOUTH AFRICA 1902].[30]

            Sergeant Jacob completed 18 years of service in 1906, and in July of that year he was awarded the Army Long Service Good Conduct Medal (EVIIR).[31]  On 12 September 1906, while still serving in “D” Depot Company at Chatham, Jacob was promoted to the rank of Company Quartermaster Sergeant and was assigned to pay duties for the company.  On 1 May 1909 Company Quartermaster Sergeant William S. Jacob was discharged on the termination of his third period of limited engagement, having competed exactly 21 years of service.

            22828 Company Quartermaster Sergeant William Skidmore Jacob, was admitted as a Royal Hospital Pensioner on 6 May 1909 subsequent to his discharge from the Army.  He was listed on the Royal Hospital records as being a member of the Royal Engineers Supernumerary Staff and was discharged from the hospital on 13 May following a medical examination.

Figure 7.  77 Luton Road, Chatham, Kent.
(Image courtesy of Google Earth)

            At the time of his discharge Company Quartermaster Sergeant Jacob was 41 years of age.  He was described as being 5 feet 9 inches tall with a chest measurement of 37 inches with a range of expansion of 2 inches (apparently military service did much to build him up).  His complexion was pale, his eyes grey and his hair dark brown.  His trade was still noted to be “Engine Driver.”  His intended place of residence, when leaving the Army, was listed as 77 Luton Road in Chatham. 

            Jacob’s Conduct and Character were described as “Exemplary, no offenses in the whole of 21 years.”  As for any Special Qualifications for Employment in Civil Life an entry was made on his Army Form B. 268 to indicate that he “has been employed for the last eighteen years on clerical and pay duties.”  This last comment surely is incorrect or an exaggeration.  He was an Engine Driver during all the time of his military service and was assigned to both a railway company and a fortress company.  It is unlikely that for 18 years he performed “clerical and pay duties” although these duties may have been supplemental to his primary duties.  His only involvement with pay duties was during his posting to “D” Company of the Training Battalion during the last two to three years of his time in the Army.  Whoever made the entry on his Army Form B. 268 regarding his “clerical and pay duties” may have thought that this would help him to find employment in civil life.  If the railroads or manufacturing industry did not need engine drivers he could look for work in another field.  Additionally, there probably was little demand for someone who had spent much time in a fortress company as there were few fortresses to work on in civil life.

PROMOTIONS AND CONDUCT

a. Promotions   

            William Skidmore Jacob received the following promotions during his time in service:  

NOTES:

(1)   This promotion came when he was serving in the 8^th Railway Company and it was approved on his records by Lieutenant T.H. Cochrane, R.E. (later Lieutenant Colonel).

(2)   These promotions came when he was serving in the 8^th Railway Company and they were approved on his records by Captain J.H. Twiss, R.E. (later Brigadier General).

(3)   This promotion came when he was serving in the 31^st Fortress Company and it was approved on his records by Lieutenant R. Oakes, R.E. (later Colonel).

b. Conduct 

            As previously indicated, William Skidmore Jacob served for 21 years and his conduct had been “Exemplary” during the entire period of his service.  He had committed no offences nor had he been tried by court martial during his entire time in the Army.  He had been granted Good Conduct Pay at the rate of 1.d per day on 2 May 1890.[32]  His award of the Good Conduct Pay was authorized by Lieutenant H. Sloggett, R.E. at Chatham.   He had been awarded the Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 1 July 1906 following his completion of 18 years of service.  A certificate is included in his service papers containing the following information:

            Certified that the sum of £5. for a Gratuity for a Long Service and Good Conduct Medal awarded to No. 22828 C.Q.M.S. W.S. Jacob. R.E. has been credited to his account in the Pay List of D. Company R.E. May 1909.

Chatham

27^th April 1909

This certificate is stamped Royal Hospital Chelsea and the stamp is dated 26 May 1909.

6. EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS  

a.      Education  

            QMS Jacob earned two Certificates of Education while in the Army; a Third Class Certificate on 29 March 1889 and a Second Class Certificate on 4 August 1893.[33]

b. Qualifications  

            QMS Jacob was a qualified Engine Driver.  His qualifications in this trade are summarized below:

            He attended a course in Engine Driving at the School of Military Engineering and qualified as “Skilled” on 17 July 1891.

            He attended a course in Engine Driving at the School of Military Engineering and qualified as “Superior” on 19 October 1892.

            He attended a course in Engine Driving at the School of Military Engineering and qualified as “Very Superior” on 20 October 1894.

            Since he had been an Engine Driver in civil life prior to entering the Army, it must have been easy for him to attain these high qualifications at the School of Military Engineering.

7. SUMMARY OF SERVICE

            The table below provides a summary of the service of QMS Jacob at home and abroad during his years of service.     

 8.   MEDICAL INFORMATION

 TABLE NOTES:

(1)   Where the word “Unknown” is shown in the table it indicates that the handwriting on the Army Form B. 178 (MEDICAL HISTORY) is illegible.

(2)   The location shown on Jacob’s Army Form B. 178 actually is Wadi Halfa in the Northern Sudan.

(3)   SS Gascon ran aground on 23 December 1909 at the mouth of the Douro Estuary whilst outward for Liverpool from Oporto and became a total loss.

(4)   Jacob appears to have been in good health during most of his military service, except when in Egypt and the Sudan where he had been in hospital for a total of 22 days during the period from 29 January 1897 to 1 July 1899.  His illnesses were undoubtedly due to the affects of heat and poor quality food and water.

9.      MEDALS, AWARDS AND DECORATIONS  

            For his service in the Royal Engineers from 2 May 1888 to 1 May 1909, Company Quartermaster Sergeant William Skidmore Jacobs was awarded the following medals:

Queen’s Sudan Medal

Queen’s South Africa Medal with clasps

[CAPE COLONY] [ORANGE FREE STATE] [TRANSVAAL]

King’s South Africa Medal with clasps

[SOUTH AFRICA 1901] [SOUTH AFRICA 1902]

Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (EVIIR)

Khedive’s Sudan Medal with clasp

[KHARTOUM]

These medals are shown from left to right in the Figure below.  

Figure 8.  The Medals of CQMS William Skidmore Jacob, R.E.
(Photograph from the author’s collection)  

10.  MARRIAGE, FAMILY AND PERSONAL INFORMATION

Marriage

William Skidmore Jacob married Helena Elizabeth Robinson (1878-1943), a widow, at Gillingham, Kent on 11 June 1905, with leave, being placed on the married rolls of the Royal Engineers on that date.  The 1911 Census of England and Wales indicates that the Jacob family consisted of the following individuals:

1911 Census of England and Wales

Figure 9.  16 Pheasant Road, Luton, Chatham.
(Image courtesy of Google Earth)

Family Information

Parents

            In 1901 William’s parents, Frederick and Laura, were living at 137 Parkwood Road in Pokesdown, Bournemouth, Hampshire.  Frederick, age 61, is shown in the 1901 Census as working on his “own account” as a Civil Engineer (late R.E.).  Their daughter Hannah, age 37, also was living with them at the time.                        

            Frederick Augustus William Louis Jacob, died at Christchurch in Hampshire in June of 1906 at the age of 68.  William’s mother, Laura Jane Jacob, also died in Christchurch in January 1916 at the age of 83.  

Wife and Children

The census returns indicates that the Jacobs had 8 children, two of which died by the time of the 1911 census.  These were two sons; Charles Skidmore Jacob (1909-1909) and Stanley Louis Jacob (1910-1910).

Jacob’s wife, Helena Elizabeth Robinson, was a widow when they married.  She had been the wife of 27094 Corporal George Edward Robinson, R.E.  Robinson had enlisted in 1892 and was posted to India to serve with the Madras Sappers & Miners.  He served for just over 10 years when he fell ill and returned to England.  Robinson died at Chatham on 29 May 1903 from pulmonary phthisic, a wasting or consumption of the lung tissue; that is, tuberculosis.  The Jacobs and the Robinsons obviously were very close friends.  Corporal and Mrs. Robinson had a daughter, Hilda Constance Robinson.  When William and Helena married, William adopted Hilda and she was officially recognized in his Army records as his stepdaughter.  Research indicates that Hilda Constance Robinson was born in Bangalore, Madras, India on 29 June 1901.  She died in New Forest, Hampshire in March 1991 at the age of 88.

Mrs. Jacob had three pairs of twins: Helena and Frederick, born in Gillingham on 27 September 1905, and Ellen and Thomas, born in Old Brompton on 11 December 1906.  Winifred Maud and Charles Skidmore were born on 28 January 1909, but Charles does not appear in the 1911 census since he died in June of 1909.

Personal Information

            William Skidmore Jacob was a Mason.  The records of the Brownrigg Lodge of Unity in Old Brompton show that he was initiated into that Lodge on 19 May 1896 when he was still serving as a Corporal in the Royal Engineers.      

            William died in Salford, Lancashire on 13 September 1921 at the age of 53.

11.   SERVICE IN THE GREAT WAR (2 June 1915 to 27 September 1919)

            William Skidmore Jacob reenlisted to serve in the Great War of 1914-1918 on 2 June 1915.  At the top of his Short Service Attestation document (Army Form B. 2505), written in pencil, is the comment “For promotion forthwith to rank of Company Quartermaster Sergeant.”  Obviously his prior service was immediately recognized by the Army.  His papers indicate that he was issued Regimental Number 103835 at the time of his enlistment.  To the questions asked on his attestation he responded:

1)      that his address was 16 Pheasant Road, Luton, Kent,

2)      that he was a British Subject,

3)      that he was 47 years old,

4)      that his trade was Engine Driver,

5)      that he was married,

6)      that he had 21 years of prior service in the Royal Engineers,

7)      that he was a pensioner as of 1/5/09,

8)      that he enlisted for General Service,

9)      that he had been recruited by an officer in the Royal Navy.

            Jacob swore the Oath of Attestation and it was certified on 2 June 1915 by a Major who was the Officer Commanding the Depot Companies, Royal Engineers at Chatham.  His enlistment was approved by this same officer on 11 June 1915.

            Jacob’s physical description at the time of this enlistment showed his height to be 5 feet 9 inches with a 36 inch chest having a range of expansion of 2 inches. 

            Jacob listed his wife on his records as living at the Luton address.  He also listed all of the children that he had listed when he was discharged in 1909 with the addition of one more; Gladys May, born on 20 September 1915.  His Statement of Services for this enlistment is rather brief.  It shows the following information:

·         Attested as a Sapper on 2 June 1915.

·         Qualified as an Engine Driver (“Very Superior”) on 2 June 1915.

·   Promoted Company Quartermaster Sergeant in the 3^rd Provisional Company, R.E. on 3 June 1915.

·   Transferred to the 130^th Field Company, R.E. on 3 June 1915.  (This field company was part of the 25^th Division which fought in France and Flanders.  Fortunately for Jacob he did not accompany the unit to France).

·   Transferred to No. 1 Depot Company at The Gables, Deganwy, Wales on 22 September 1915.  This company was part of the Dismounted Training Center formed to help cope with the large flow of recruits into New Army units.  It eventually formed the 4^th Reserve Battalion, R.E. in January of 1918.[34]

·   Transferred to Class “Z” Army Reserve on demobilization on 27 September 1919.  The Class Z Reserve was authorized by an Army Order of 3 December 1918. There were fears that Germany would not accept the terms of any peace treaty, and therefore the British Government decided it would be wise to be able to quickly recall trained men in the eventuality of the resumption of hostilities. Soldiers who were being demobilized, particularly those who had agreed to serve "for the duration", were at first posted to Class Z. They returned to civilian life, but with an obligation to return if called upon. The Class Z Reserve was abolished on 31 March 1920.[35]  It is doubtful if at his age Jacob would have been recalled to active service in any event.

            With his transfer to the Army Reserve Jacob actually served for almost one year beyond the armistice.  It may be assumed that his services were needed to assist in mustering out other soldiers who were being demobilized.  His service from 2 June 1915 to 27 September 1919 gave him an additional 4 years and 118 days, making his total service with the Colours 25 years and 118 days.  Since Jacob never entered a theater of war or served overseas during the Great War he was not entitled to the British War Medal  or Victory Medal.

REFERENCES:

Books  

1.      CHURCHILL, Sir W.  The River War: An Historical Account of The Reconquest of the Soudan.  Longmans, Green, London, 1899.

2.      CHURCHILL, W.S.  Modern History Sourcebook: The Battle of Omdurman, 1898.

3.      FEATHERSTONE, D.  Omdurman, 1898:  Kitchener’s Victory in the Sudan.  Campaign Series 29, Osprey Publishing Limited, London, 1893.

4.      GORDON, L.L.  British Battles and Medals.  Spink & Son Ltd., London, 1971.

5.      GRIERSON, J.M.  Scarlet Into Khaki: The British Army on the Eve of the Boer War.  Greenhill Books, London, 1988.

6.      HARBOTTLE, T.  Dictionary of Battles.  Stein and Day, New York, 1971.

7.      Merriam Webster’s Geographical Dictionary.  Third Edition.  Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, Springfield, Massachusetts, 1997.

8.      SANDES, E.W.C.  The Royal Engineers in Egypt and the Sudan.  The Institution of Royal Engineers, Chatham, Kent, 1937.

9.      WATSON, C.M.  The History of the Corps of Royal Engineers.  Volume III.  The Institution of Royal Engineers, Chatham, Kent, 1954.  

Census  

1.      1881 Census of England.

2.      1891 Census of England.

3.      1901 Census of England and Wales (W.S. Jacob).

4.      1901 Census of England (F. Jacob).

5.      1911 Census of England and Wales.  

Documents  

1.      Marriage Certificate of Frederick William Louis Jacob to Laura Jane Skidmore, 12 March 1861.

2.      Register of Births in April, May and June 1868.

3.      Register of Marriages in April, May and June 1905.

4.      Certified Copy of an Entry of Birth, William Skidmore Jacob, General Register Office Application No. G010800, dated 6 November 2000.  

Family Trees  

1.      Frederick Augustus William Louis Jacob (sallyhawkins57 – Ancestry.com).

2.      Frederick Augustus William Louis Jacob (lorraine mcgrath – Ancestry.com).

3.      William Skidmore Jacob (sallyhawkins57 – Ancestry.com)  

Masonic Registers  

1.      Register of the Brownrigg Lodge of Unity, Old Brompton, 1893-1896.

2.      Register of the Brownrigg Lodge of Unity, Old Brompton, 1896-1902.  

Medal Rolls  

1.      Queen’s Sudan Medal Roll, 8^th Railway Company, R.E., dated Wady Halfa, 29 March 1899.

2.      Queen’s South Africa Medal Roll, 31^st Company Royal Engineers, dated Pretoria, South Africa, 8^th July 1901, WO100/157.

3.      King’s South Africa Medal Roll, (The Late) 31^st Company Royal Engineers, dated Canterbury, 21 August 1903, WO100/314.

4.      Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal Roll, dated 1 July 1906, WO102/17.  

Miscellaneous Sources  

Dix Noonan Webb Auction 18 May 2011, Lot 7.  

Service Papers  

1.      The Service Papers of 4481 Sergeant Major Frederick Jacob, R.E. (W.O. Form 83).

2.      The Service Papers of 22828 Quartermaster Sergeant William Skidmore Jacob, R.E. to include Army Form B. 265, B. 268 and B. 2505.

3.      The Service Papers of 27094 Corporal George Edward Robinson, R.E. (Army Form B. 265).  

Unpublished Studies  

1.      GASE, S. and DE SANTIS, E.  Unpublished study relating the date of enlistment of Royal Engineer soldiers to their regimental numbers.  West Drayton, Middlesex and Columbia, Maryland, 2000.

2.      GASE, S.  Summary of the Service of 25675 Sapper Septimus Grundy, R.E.

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