Gordon L. Jackson, the AJS factory rider who won the 1961 Scottish Six Days Trial on one solitary mark, has died aged 92 years of age, on Sunday 7th July 2024.
Gordon had endured a period of bad health and passed away in the South Charente area of France, where he had lived for many years.
A ‘Kentish Man’, born on the north side of the River Medway, he was a farmer by profession and became a full factory AJS supported rider in 1953.
He won the SSDT four times (1956, 58, 60 & 61) and the ACU British Trials Star twice, in 1955 and 1958, the equivalent of the British Trials Championship.
When Jackson won the 1961 SSDT on 187BLF, Bert Thorn of Comerfords, Thames Ditton, immediately ordered 100 replicas of Jackson’s AJS, a factory order that remained unfulfilled, much to the disappointment of Gordon and AJS customers.
Gordon lost his single dab in 1961 on the top sub-section of Grey Mare’s Ridge, in more recent years the section became known as ‘Jacksons’ in his honour. Mortons Media own the image taken by Peter Howdle which is one of the most famous trials photographs in the history of the sport.
His wife Peggy pre-deceased him some years ago, Gordon leaves two sons, Drew and Ross and grandchildren, Lynn and Catherine. He was highly respected by his peers which included, Sammy Miller; Roy Peplow; Johnny Brittain; Gordon Blakeway; Gordon McLaughlan; Peter Fletcher; Geoff Ward; John Giles and Jeff Smith, to name but a few.
In his days with AJS, Gordon also competing in scrambles both in Britain and in France, as well as representing Britain at the International Six Days Trial.
John Moffat of Trials Guru said: ” I feel that this is the end of an era, Gordon Jackson was one of my heroes and was truly a legend in the history of motorcycle trials. G.L. Jackson excelled at motorcycle trials and when he retired from the sport, he took up car trialing and became British Champion in that sport also. I got to know Gordon in the late 1990s and we used to speak to each other by telephone over the years. I spoke very little during our chats, as he was such a wealth of knowledge, I enjoyed listening to him. I was truly saddened when I took the phone call from Drew Jackson to inform me of his father’s passing this morning. Gordon Jackson was a gentleman and a highly respected one at that.”
Gordon Jackson’s famous AJS (187BLF) now fully restored is displayed in Sammy Miller’s museum at New Milton.
Gordon Leonard Jackson 28 December 1931 – 7 July 2024
Tributes to Gordon Jackson:
Nick Jefferies: “Very sad news. You couldn’t wish to meet a more decent bloke. One of the true greats of motorcycling.”
Tony Davis: “Very sad news indeed. I had the pleasure of riding around the SSDT when he famously lost just one dab, what a brilliant ride that was. The sport has lost another great ambassador.”
Bernie Schreiber: “Trials Legend. R.I.P.”
Jeff Smith: “Very sorry to hear this. Gordon was a great rider and a gentleman.we had wonderful battles In 1950s .Rest In Peace old friend. See you soon!”
George Greenland: “So sorry to hear about Gordon he was a very pleasant and friendly person.”
Gordon McLaughlan: “Sorry to see my old team mate passing, he was a colossus in our time together. We will not forget his riding style.”
Tommy Sandham: “An all time great. He wrote a Foreword to my first book about the SSDT and made me feel like a millionaire! Condolences to the family.”
Freddie Mayes: “Very sad news! R.I.P Gordon.”
TRIALS GURU - DEDICATED TO TRIAL 
what sad news, Gordon was a fantastic rider, he just quietly got on with the job in hand. He was also an absolute gentleman, we were so privileged to have him live with us in Devon before moving out to France with Drew, Ross and their family. R.I.P. Gordon to many of us you’ll always be remembered as Number One. Condolences to all of Gordon’s family, he was a man you can be truly proud of.
Remember a very entertaining eveninng with Gordon and John Giles at Dorset Vintage Club HQ many years ago.
My Dad Michael Lynch used to ride and knew Gordon well. My Mum Edna, said he was a true gentleman. My father passed on the 1st July 2024 at 95, after a long fight with cancer.
I was ‘volunteered’ to be his first passenger in his first car trial at Longmoor in Hampshire. It was his first attempt at the four wheel sport (and mine). He was a natural and was leading at one point but in the end we came 4th. I didn’t even know his surname until we went to the pub at lunchtime. I asked him he said ‘Jackson’ and that explained it! RIP Gordon