Sergeant, 290532 (formally 2735), 1/7th Battalion (Merioneth & Montgomery), Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Missing, assumed to have died, age about 23, on 26 March 1917 at Gaza in the Egyptian Theatre of War.
The Battalion was formed in Newtown in August 1914 as part of North Wales Brigade, Welsh Division. On 13 May 1915 the formation became the 158th Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. In July 1915 it sailed for Gallipoli, via Imbros, and disembarked at Suvla Bay on 9 August 1915. After enduring much loss from the fighting and the severe conditions, it was evacuated from Gallipoli in December 1915 and moved to Egypt. The 158th Brigade took part in the First Battle of Gaza (26-27 March 1917), which was an unsuccesful attempt to capture Gaza from the Turks to make way for an invasion of Palestine. The attack was directed against the key defensive ridge of Ali Muntar, positioned directly in front of Gaza. The attack almost succeeded but due to poor communication and misunderstandings the infantry was withdrawn under the threat of heavy Turkish reinforcements. In all the British suffered 4000 casualties during the battle (523 dead, 2,932 wounded and 512 missing).
Sergeant Jones enlisted at Blaenau Festiniog, Merionethshire on 8 August 1914, aged 20. He was previously employed as a Shop Assistant for Maypole Dairy Co. Ltd. He entered the war in the Balkans on 8 August 1915 and served both in Gallipoli and Egypt. Whilst in Egypt he was promoted Corporal on 31 March 1916 and further promoted Sergeant on 27 May 1916. He was wounded on 10 August 1915 at Sulva Bay, Gallipoli with gunshot wounds to his shoulder, elbow and arm and also his left knee. Whilst recovering from his wounds he was located on various Hospital Ships in Malta and Alexandria from 30 August to 23 December 1915, when he returned to his unit. He was registered as missing on 8 May 1917 with a date for "official purposes" of 26 March 1917 (day one of the First Battle of Gaza).
Born at Holyhead the son of Hugh and Mary Jones (nee Jones), of Tower Stores (House), 29 William Street, Holyhead. In 1911 he lived with his parents, older brother and adopted sister at Tower House, 29 William Street, Holyhead. He was employed as a Grocer's Assistant (at Blaenau Festiniog?). His father was born at Holyhead and was employed as a Stoker for the Trinity Service. His mother came from Llanfachraeth, Anglesey.
Awarded the 1914-15 Star, Victory Medal and British War Medal.
Commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial, Panels 20 to 22. He has no known grave. He is commemorated on a memorial plaque at Y Tabernacl Chapel, Thomas Street, Holyhead.