John Henry Jones, Royal Welsh Fusiliers

Lance Corporal, 19138, 'B' Company, 16th (Service) Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Died, killed in action, aged 25, on 10 January 1916 at the Western Front.

The 16th Battalion was formed at Llandudno in November 1914 by the Welsh National Executive Committee from recruits surplus to 13th Battalion. In November 1914 it was attached to 128th Brigade, 43rd Division at Llandudno. On 28 April 1915 the formation became the 113th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. It moved to Winchester in August 1915. The Battalion landed in France on 2 December 1915. The battalion then moved up to the area north of the Somme close to Richebourgh St. Vaast. During part of the month the battalion was attached to Guards Companies for instruction in the front line. On the 6 January the Battalion moved to take up front line duties for the first time. On 9 January the Battalion War Diary recorded "Our artillery shelled enemy wire at S16A.58. Enemy artillery retaliated on our front line and 2 men were killed and 8 wounded. An officer's patrol went out after dark but could find no gap in enemy wire." Amongst the listed casualties was "19138 LCpl. J H Jones, 'B' Company, killed". Also killed at the same time was Private,19137, George Arthur Thomas, 'B' Company, from Holyhead. They were best friends, had joined up together with consecutive service numbers and are buried alongside each other.
Born at Valley, Anglesey the son of Hugh and Mary Jones, of "Craigle", Moreton Road, Holyhead. Pupil of Holyhead County School. Student of Normal College, Bangor (graduating in 1912). Assistant Master of Llangefni Council School, Anglesey. In 1911 he lived with his parents, two older sisters and one older brother at 31 Moreton Road, Holyhead. At this time he was attending college at Bangor. His father was employed as a Rent Collector and originated from Holyhead. His mother was born at Llangristiolus, Anglesey. Buried in the St. Vaast Post Military Cemetery, Richebourg-L'avoue, France. Grave location II.L.6.

Commemorated on the Normal College, Bangor Roll of Honour and remembered on the headstone on the grave of his parents, Hugh and Mary Jones, at Bethel Chapel, Bodorgan, Anglesey. He is also commemorated on a memorial plaque at Hyfrydle Chapel, Thomas Street, Holyhead.

War Diary information courtesy of www.penmon.org where further information is available resulting from research completed by Ann Hughes, supported by Clive Hughes and RWF Archivist, Anne Pedley. Thanks also to David Hughes for permission to use the photograph of his Great Uncle's headstone (more photographs here). Obituary details can be found at http://newspapers.library.wales/view/4243312/4243318/88/Holyhead%20AND%20Thomas