Sapper, WR/500047 (previously 68012), Royal Engineers, Inland Water Transport. Died, aged 33, on 24 January 1919 in France.
The Inland Water Transport and Docks Section of the Royal Engineers was originally formed in December of 1914 to deal with and to develop transport on canals and waterways of France and Belgium. The Section at first operated under the Director of Railways, but, owing to the rapid development of Inland Water Transport, a special directorate was formed in October of 1915. These extended responsibilities entailed large increases in establishments. Up to December of 1917, some 1,100 officers and nearly 30,000 men transferred to or enlisted in the Inland Water Transport Section. Over 6,000 of these served on the Western Front.
Owen Hughes Jones was employed as a Seaman and was accepted into the Royal Naval Reserve on 1 June 1910 with the identification A2734. Whilst stationed at Devonport he was found to have defective eyesight in both eyes and was discharged as medically unfit on 9 August 1910. It is probable that he returned to Holyhead to seek employment at the port. Letters contained in his Service Record suggests that he served on the SS Slieve Bloom.
He joined the Royal Engineers Railway and Canal Troops as Sapper, 68012, on 19 January 1919 aged 28 years and 10 months. He entered France shortly afterwards on 28 January 1915. On 24 January 1919 he was found drowned in the Dunkerque Canal close to the Spycker Bridge. The Court of Enquiry held on 26 January 1919 heard evidence that Sapper Jones, who was employed as a Deck Hand on the Barge A18 located at Spycker Bridge, was granted leave at 4.30 pm on 25 December 1918 as he intended to walk into Dunkerque and to return at 9.30pm or with others on leave at 7am the next day. He did not return as arranged and witnesses stated that they had not seen him in the town. The Post Mortem carried out at the 8th Canadian Hospital determined that he had died from a blow to the base of the skull and had not drowned. It was the opinion of the Army Doctor that he had been struck with a blunt instrument. His effects included a Board of Trade Merchant Navy Discharge Book, four Discharge Certificates, two Letter Certificates, a razor in a case, a French/English Dictionary, a metal ring and a flashlamp. No money was recorded.
He was the son of Richard and Martha Jones of the Water Mill, 2 William Street, Porth-y-Felin, Holyhead. He had a brother, Gwilym Jones and three sisters, Ann Ellen, Hannah and Elizabeth. When his parents heard of his death they wrote to the army on 29 January and 4 February 1919 inquiring to the cause and circumstances of his death. Sapper Jones' Service Record includes these letters and also the replies from the Army, which merely state that he was found drowned. It would appear that his parents may not have been told of the true nature of his demise. In September 1919 his mother wrote to the Army to apply for a pension on the loss of her son.
Awarded 1914-15 Star, Victory Medal and British War Medal. These medals were undelivered and were returned under regulation 992.KR.1923. This might suggest that the family had left the Water Mill or possibly the area soon after the war ended.
Buried in Dunkirk Town Cemetery, France. Grave is located at IV.E.10.