Benjamin Jackson was born in Wolverhampton in 1891, the son of George and Ellen Jackson. In 1901, they were living at 10 Granville Street, together with Benjamin’s brothers George, Walter, Harry and Frank, and sisters Ellen, Minnie, Olive and Violet. Benjamin’s mother, Ellen, died in 1910. By 1911, they were at 67 Coventry Street, Willenhall Road, and only Benjamin, Harry, Frank, Olive and Violet were living with their widowed father. Benjamin had become a setter in an edge tool works.

Benjamin enlisted as a Private in the 7th Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment (number 9930). At some point, Benjamin married an Edith Ada (maiden name unknown), and they had a child, David, as both of these are given as next of kin in the Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects. There is a record of a marriage between Benjamin Jackson and Edith Ada Granger in the 3rd quarter of 1909 in Dudley, Staffordshire. However, Benjamin is listed as single and living with his father in 1911. Their son, David, was born in the fourth quarter of 1911, also in Dudley. His mother’s name is spelled ‘Grainger’ in this record.

Benjamin Jackson died of wounds received on 8 November 1916, but he was posthumously Mentioned in Despatches on 15 May 1917, as reported in the London Gazette on 22 May 1917. He is buried at the Contay British Cemetery in France.