MP Calls for Recognition of Local War Hero

3.32.00pm GMT Mon 11th Feb 2008

Vincent Cable MP has asked Richmond Council, local amenity societies and the British Legion to find a way of honouring a local war hero.

Norman Jackson of Burtons Road, Hampton Hill. Mr Jackson won the Victoria Cross for showing extraordinary courage as a flight engineer on a burning Lancaster bomber during a raid over Germany (the citation is attached).

Vincent Cable said: "I learnt about Norman Jackson from someone I met at a recent Hampton FC football match. His story was quite extraordinary. He climbed out of the cockpit of his bomber at 200mph to try to put out a fire on the wing. In the attempt his parachute was badly damaged, he was severely burnt and fell to the ground sustaining serious injuries. He became a POW but then escaped. He returned to Hampton Hill and lived with his family until his death almost exactly 50 years after his exploits.

"I was saddened to have only just heard of him since a few months ago I attended the 150th Anniversary of the Victoria Cross at Westminster Abbey with HM The Queen and the anniversary would have been an ideal opportunity to honour him.

"The suggestion made to me was that Burtons Road should be renamed. I think that is probably not sensible but, at the very least, we should have a proper memorial to him."