Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Weston Jesson, a butcher and grazier, born 1865 in Gumley, Leicestershire and his wife Martha Ann Jesson (nee Wells, married in the 2nd quarter of 1888 in the Market Harborough, Leicestershire district), born 1865 in Carlton Curlieu, Leicestershire. Thomas Charles was born in the 1st quarter of 1899 in Gumley, his siblings were, Ida Elizabeth, born 1889, Lilian Maud born 1891 and John William, born 1895, all his siblings were born in Gumley, in March 1901 the family home was at The Rectory, Gumley. In April 1911 Thomas was residing in the family home in Gumley together with his father, a butcher, his mother and siblings, Ida, assisting in the family business, Lilian and John, assisting in the family business.
The War Diary records: 9 Apr-18 – IN THE FIELD. Enemy launched an attack against GIVENCHY as part of an important offensive action. Aided by a thick mist he succeeded in penetrating the defences at some points but he was held and thrown out. The Battalion was in support and their movements are contained in Appendix. 650 enemy were taken prisoners in the sector. Our casualties during the day were, killed Captain W. C. WILKINSON, 2nd Lieutenant J. SCHOFIELD, 2nd Lieutenant C. CLARK and 27 other ranks. Wounded 2nd Lieutenant M. SCOUGALL, 2nd Lieutenant A. V. CROUCHER, 2nd Lieutenant R. LYON (gassed) and 105 other ranks. Missing Captain J. SULLIVAN (believed Prisoner of War) and 30 other ranks. Captain R. E. G. NEWMAN M.C. was taken prisoner and escaped.
OPERATIONS 9th to 16th April 1918.
9th.
4.15am. Enemy barrage opened. All kinds of shell including gas. Barrage extended in depth some considerable distance back. At the commencement this barrage was not heavy on the front line. At this time dispositions were as follows:-
Headquarters – GORRE Brewery.
“B” Company – GORRE Chateau.
Forward Battalion Headquarters – PONT FIXE.
“A” Company less 2 platoons – PONT FIXE North and 2 platoons WINDY CORNER.
“C” and “D” Companies – VILLAGE LINE.
5.15am. “Bustle” received from Brigade at Battalion Headquarters. (Previous to this attempts had been made to communicate with Brigade and a runner had been sent for instruction). At the same time (5.15am) “Bustle” issued to “B” Company. Companies in the village Line were already standing to.
5.45am. Headquarters left for Village Line.
6.25am. (?) “B” Company arrive at TUNING FORK LINE.
7.10am. Headquarters arrive at PONT FIXE and reported to Brigade. Touch was maintained with 1/4th Royal Lancaster Regiment and 1/4th Loyal North Lancashire Regiment by runner.
9.05am. The first news as to the enemy coming was received from “A” Company who stated enemy had attacked DEATH or GLORY Sap and had reached Company Headquarters IN CHEYNE WALK but had been repulsed there.
9.10am. S.O.S. GIVENCHY received from 1/4th Loyal North Lancashire Regiment by our own runners. Instructed “D” Company and also passed on S.O.S. Instructed “D” Company to work 2 platoons between SIDBURY HILL on right and HERTS REDOUBT on left ascertaining position from 1/4th Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. Informed the latter. Reported situation to Brigade fully. During all this time shelling was very intense particularly on PONT FIXE and I had been unable to hear any rifle fire or machine gun fire. (The action of “D” Company in sending 2 platoons was subsequently cancelled by the arrival of the enemy at WINDY CORNER.)
10.00am. The Chaplain (Captain R. E. G. NEWMAN, M.C.) reported enemy at WINDY CORNER, he having been taken prisoner and escaped. “D” Company was ordered to form a defensive flank pending knowledge of strength of enemy at WINDY CORNER. Instructed “C” Company to form a 2nd Defensive flank for the moment. 1/4th Royal Lancaster Regiment report enemy working up ORCHARD ROAD.
10.04am. Enemy attacked and were pushing down ORCHARD KEEP. 1/4th Royal Lancaster Regiment asked for reinforcements on main line of resistance. Informed “C” Company and instructed them to send one platoon – pointing out principal danger for the moment was WINDY CORNER.
10.15am. Reported situation fully to Brigade.
10.25am. 1/4th Royal Lancaster Regiment reported they were holding GUNNER SIDINGS. From this moment onwards as the situation became clearer the points where the enemy were in strength were dealt with as follows:-
“D” Company held the enemy at WINDY CORNER and contained them. Two platoons of “B” Company reported to 1/4th Loyal North Lancashire Regiment and working down GRENADIER ROAD and HITCHEN AVENUE cut off the enemy who surrendered. When this was accomplished these platoons took up their position in NEW CUT EXTENSION and O.B.L. “A” Company was altogether withdrawn to PONT FIXE North as they became weak through casualties and there was still the front of the right Battalion to guard against and remainder of forces available (Another 2 platoons of “C” Company) were pushed up WOLF ROAD and ORCHARD ROAD. A further force of just over a platoon was sent to 1/4th Loyal North Lancashire Regiment Headquarters to fill up a gap in their flank.
2.40am. Battalion Headquarters moved to Right Battalion which they shared with 1/4th Royal Lancaster Regiment. As forces became available they were pushed up to ORCHARD KEEP and GUNNER SIDINGS working up WOLF ROAD and ORCHARD ROAD. Twice further reinforcements were sent to the original body sent from this unit. They assisted 1/4th Royal Lancaster Regiment in clearing GUNNER SIDINGS, ORCHARD KEEP and ORCHARD ROAD and finally clearing him from the Sector. Ultimately helping the Battalion in the line to hold the main line of resistance during the night.
10th.
2.00am. Enemy finally clear from whole sector which was cleared in its entirety. On this day men of this unit were withdrawn from the front line to the Village Line.
12th.
In the afternoon the Battalion relieved 1/4th Royal Lancaster Regiment in the Right Sub-Sector.
16th.
Battalion relieved by 1st Loyal North Lancashire Regiment.
Signed S. J. Brighton Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding, 2/5th Battalion The Lancashire Fusiliers. 18.4.18.