From a Military Observer in France we have received two accounts of the exploits of a Beal man who commands a Tank, which he has appropriately Christened 'Yorkshire Boy.' He is Corporal F. Jackson, of 1 Sudforth Lane, Beal. A native of Beal, he is 38, was educated at the Village School and later worked for the Pontefract Rural Council. He is a married man with two children, and his parents Mr and Mrs Henry Jackson also live in Beal.

The first account says:-

"During the fighting on the Caen Sector, Corporal F. Jackson, of 1 Sudforth Lane, Beal, had an unusual experience. The tank squadron to which he belongs was attacked by dug-in SP Gun’s and, following support from the Artillery, smoke was laid down so that the tanks could advance.

The ground was heavily cratered and the order was for the Sherman’s to proceed in a dead straight line so that the advance could be co-ordinated. Corporal Jackson’s tank ‘Yorkshire Boy’ led the column for some way and then ended up with its nose down in a particularly precipitous bomb crater. The remainder fanned out, disposed of the SP Gun’s and continued the advance.

With ‘Yorkshire Boy’ cocked at such an undignified angle, petrol started to was around from the tanks, so the crew dismounted and started digging-in in case of accidents. As they were doing so the Corporal spotted some movement in a small copse nearby.

He wandered over and was just in time to see a German dodging down into a dug-out. Corporal Jackson made his way carefully to the rear of the trench and again saw a head. He beckoned to the German to come out, and on the latter doing so, found that he spoke perfect English. Corporal Jackson disarmed him and then the Boche asked "Do you take prisoners?" An unusual question until he supplemented it by saying that the Boche had been given to understand that all prisoners were shot. If, said the Hun, the Corporal would ensure him that this was not so, then others would surrender too.

Corporal Jackson gave him the necessary assurance, the German disappeared into the dug-out and after a conference led out 23 more Germans, including three officers. ‘Yorkshire Boy' had not had a wasted morning after all."

The Second Account is;

"Hide and seek with the girl friend in the parlour may be good fun, but played around a Normandy barn with a German Panther Tank it is far from funny. Sergeant D.N. Smith of 65 Rosedale Avenue, Acomb, York, in command of a British Tank Troop, had just experienced a fierce counter-attack by German Artillery, mortar and machine guns when he was ordered to go down to a village and support some infantry who were dug in there. He got to within 60 yards of an orchard when he spotted a Panther Tank in occupation.

He manoeuvered his tank under the cover of a barn which intervened and then began the game of hide and seek. As soon as one or the other moved, it was a signal for a shell to come whizzing across the front of the tanks. This could have gone on ad nauseam but Sergeant Smith decided to dismount and have a closer look at the Panther.

Corporal F. Jackson, who commands a rank in Sergeant Smith’s Troop, had got as far as the village when he was pulled up short by his batteries shorting. He had to sit tight in the village surrounded by excellent sniping posts, houses possibly seething with Boche, and a road which might produce anything at any moment. Eventually, he too decided to see what had happened to Sergeant Smith. He contacted first some Infantry who informed him that his progress was on his stomach as the Hun was only 30 yards away, also dug-in. He was horrified to see Sergeant Smith wandering happily along the lane ahead. Some frantic hissing and waving brought Sergt Smith down on to his stomach.

They decided to wait until nightfall, but when they ventured up to the orchard the Panther had gone. Sergeant Smith, whose tank was ‘Carefree 11’ then towed ‘Yorkshire Boy’ (Corporal Jackson’s tank) back to the Squadron, only to find that the Infantry wanted their immediate return, so back the Sergeant went – helped the Infantry clear the village and the surrounding orchards."

Yorkshire Evening Press - 12th September 1944