R.Jackson  known to his colleagues as "Jacko" joined "Y" Survey Troop 54 Bty, from the Army Pay Corpsin 1943 because he wanted to take a more active role in the forthcoming campaign. He survived having his halftrack blown up from under him in Normandy. to meeting the then Prime Minister Winston Churchill at the crossing of the Rhine. Below is an extract from a diary he kept in March 1945.

10 Saturday
Moved to-day – locals literally in tears as we waved good–bye. Had a pleasant journey up to the border where we slept the night.

11 Sunday
Moved deep into the heart of the fatherland. Devastation here on a par with Normandy. Pulled into farm the Canadians took yesterday. In the afternoon two Canadians one dressed in Silk Hat and Fur Coat came in to swap a horse. Chose one about 16 hands whilst civvy woman pleaded and cried. Horse however wouldn’t fit the trap so they un - harnessed and went – moved PM.

12 Monday
Civvys at new farm eager to please us. Egg for breakfast had a trip round the newly cleared pocket. Not one house anywhere that has not suffered in one way or another. Goose presented us in afternoon (note farm well stocked- with chickens, cows etc) Civvy’s obviously scared, we can have much milk as we want.

13 Tuesday
First Spring day of the year heard birds in song for the first time since leaving England. Pig killed today but first blood was drawn by cook from his mates hand.

14 Wednesday
Quiet a peaceful day. Tiffy placed some straw on the bonnet of his 3 Tonner and was surprised later on to discover hen had deposited eggs there.

15 Thursday
Gun mob from neighbouring field infiltrated into our position so that we have had to establish a picquet in the hen house even so our egg supplies have dropped to ¼.   The old story of the hen running round the yard with its head off came to life again in actual fact when Spud (Murray), severed the neck of a chicken.

16 Friday
I’m an old cow hand ! Had the job with the aid 4 civvies, to transfer 100 sheep and 50 cows to a pound a couple of miles away. The task completed one Jerry turned to me and said "Cigarette for you Kamerad ?" and produced from his jacket a packet of Kensitas!

17 Saturday
Fed luxuriously to-day Breakfast – Egg Bacon Beans. Midday – Sausages Ham Mash Pancakes with jam. Dinner Roast Pork Potatoes Peas. Gooseberries and Cream and followed by a good Super which I couldn’t face.

18 Sunday
Attended Service in the field conducted by gun mob’s Padre. Very surprised to see him, after announcing first hymn, dive into a box and pull out a piano accordion . This I thought very enterprising but he played with such gusto that he drowned the singing.

19 Monday
Owing to the encroachment of the Recce Corps and Tank Regt who snaffled a couple of dozen hens (who are we to argue) we were forced to catch 10 ourselves. These we put in a room next to our cook house in the hope that they will at least supply our 8 men with one per day.

20 Tuesday
Freddie came up with the rations today Paddy driving in a horse and cart. They apparently caused no little astonishment to the various troops they passed en route.

21 Wednesday
Our little party has been getting on well too well in fact for the Captain he saw a duck which we had killed ready for dinner and with the childish envy of a schoolboy ordered it to be put in his jeep with some feeble excuse about being too much for us.

22 Wednesday
Gun mob moved out – the field to ourselves. Three eggs apiece cook house fitted up with table and cloths a bunch of daffodils completed the homely scene.

23 Thursday
Warmest day this year our work as a section completed moved back to the troop. Bombardment started this evening.

24 Friday

Shortly after 9.30 this morning Churchill and Sir Alan Brooke arrived at our OP and right on time at 10 O’clock came the first wave of our Airborne Army. A tremendously thrilling sight. Churchill’s party stayed two hours or so during which time he chatted informally to us. Two photographers there and I should figure prominently in quite a number of pictures. One particularly showing C Dodd and myself handing Winston a cup of Tea.

Three day pass for Brussels Just after the troop left the Arnhem / Nijmegan area and the start of the battle for S-Hertogenbosch