James Jackson (British Army officer)

General Sir James Vaughan Jackson, GCB, KH (1790 – 31 December 1871) was an Irish officer in the British Army.

He was born the third son of Colonel George Jackson, of Carrowmore House, Ballina, Co. Mayo, an M.P. for Co. Mayo in both the Irish and UK parliaments.

James Jackson joined the British Army as an ensign in the 83rd Foot. He served in the Peninsula War from 1809 to 1814, took part in the Battle of Waterloo and from 1819 to 1826 served in India and Arabia. He was promoted Major in the 6th Dragoon Guards in 1827 and Lieutenant–Colonel in 1850. He was Commander-in-Chief in the Cape of Good Hope from 1854 to 1859.

He was awarded the K.H. in 1837, K.C.B. in 1856 and G.C.B. in 1865. He received a War Medal with 9 clasps for his participation at Busaco, Fuertes d’Onore, Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle and Nive.

In 1856 he was given the colonelcy of the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons, tranferring in 1860 to the 6th Dragoon Guards and again in 1868 to the 1st Dragoon Guards, a position he held until his death. On 6th February 1865 Jackson was promoted to full General.

He died at Westwood, Manchester on 31 December 1871.