Robert Ernest Jones, Royal Irish Rifles

There is some confusion in the records regarding this soldier's true surname. He is listed as JONES on Holyhead War Memorial; on the Roll of Honour list in "Holyhead and the Great War" and also on the CWGC "Debt of Honour Register". However, he is listed as JAMES in "Ireland's Memorial Records, 1914-1919" and also in "UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919."

Rifleman Jones enlisted at St. Pancras, London but was resident at Wolverhampton. He was born at Holyhead on 10 November 1885 the son of Evan and Ellen Jones (nee Griffith). His father was the Schoolmaster at the National School, Holyhead, who died in 1888, aged 44. He was also the organist at St. Cybi's Parish Church, Holyhead. His mother was born at Beddgelert. His siblings included Ellen Edith (b. 1877), Mary Louisa (b. 1879), David Gilbert (b. 1881), John Randal (b. 1883) and Evan Gwynant (b. 1888). In 1891 the family lived at 52 London Road where his mother ran a Grocery Shop. In 1901 the family had relocated to 10 Harp Street. David was then employed as a Railway Clerk, John was Ship's Steward. Robert Ernest was a Post Office Messenger, aged 16.

In 1911 Robert Ernest was lodging with the Wood family at 28 St. John's Square, Wolverhampton and was then employed as a Dining Car Attendant. Robert married Catherine Jones at Bangor in 1913 and it is believed that they had two children.

In August 1914 the 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles was on overseas duty in Aden. It returned to the UK and landed at Liverpool on 22 October 1914. It moved to Hursley Park and came under command of to 25th Brigade in the 8th Division. On 6 November 1914 it landed at Le Havre. On 3 February 1918 it was transferred to 107th Brigade in the 36th (Ulster) Division.

31 July 1917 was the first day of the Battle of Pilckem, this being the commencement of the Third Battle of Ypres, otherwise known as Passchendaele. The Battalion was involved in the fighting to capture the German positions at Westhoek Ridge, east of Ypres. The Battalion War Diary describes that they began their task at 06.50am, 3 hours after zero hour, when they moved forward to pass over the original front line taken earlier by the 23rd and 24th Brigade. In the hours that followed they progressed forward, sometimes having to stop or withdraw for a time to consolidate before moving on. They fought off a number of counter attacks and flanking actions resulting in losses to themselves but inflicting much more on the enemy. They never gave up ground they had won. Finally at 11pm they were relieved and they moved back to the old German lines. They went into the battle with 20 Officers and 620 men. In all 6 Officers were killed and 7 wounded. 30 Ordinary Ranks were killed, 145 wounded and 18 missing. It is probable that Rifleman Jones was one of those recorded as missing, as it would seem that his body was not recovered for burial.

Awarded (as R E Jones) the Victory Medal and British War Medal.

Commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Panel 40. He has no known grave. He is rememembered on a family grave at St. Seiriol's Church, Holyhead.

With thanks to Aled L Jones for the additional family information.