Private, 159948, 36th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps (formally Private, 202714, Welsh Regiment). Died of wounds, age unknown, on 8 October 1918 at the Western Front.
On 2nd September 1915, a proposal was made to the War Office for the formation of a single MG Company per Brigade, by withdrawing the Vickers guns from the Battalions. They would be replaced at Battalion level by Lewis guns. The Machine Gun Corps was created by Royal Warrant on October 14th, 1915, followed by an Army Order on 22nd October. The MGC would consist of Infantry Machine-gun Companies, Cavalry machine-gun Squadrons, and Motor Machine Gun Batteries. The reorganisation was completed by mid 1916. The Base Depot of the Corps in France was established at Camiers, close to the Infantry Base Depot at Etaples.
The 36th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps were formed on 1 March 1918 from the 107th, 108th, 109th and 266th Machine Gun Companies. They were part of the 36th (Ulster) Division. At the time when Private Jones would probably been wounded the 36th Division were involved in the Battle of Ypres (28 September - 2 October 1918). During this battle the Allied Army attacked and broke through the German Front to the north, east and south of the city of Ypres. The fighting was fierce resulting in over 4,500 allied casualties. However, the advance achieved was significant, with the recapture of the Kemmelberg and several miles of territory lost to the German attacks of April that year.
Private Jones when wounded may have been brought to one of the five hospitals located close to Calais, where he subsequently died.
Born and enlisted at Holyhead. May have lived at 4 Baptist Street but not listed there on 1911 Census. In 1911 the family may have lived at 73 Newry Street, Holyhead. At this time the family consisted of David Jones (49), Mary Jane Jones (52), Elizabeth Jones (22) - Assistant Bookseller, William Jones (19) - Wagon Number Taker, David Jones (16) - Assistant Grocer, Hugh Jones (12) and Thomas Jones (10). Newspaper reports of 1918 mentions the family living at 51 Newry Street. In 1919 the family were at 53 Newry Street.
Awarded the Victory Medal and British War Medal.
Buried in Les Baraques Military Cemetery, Sangatte, nr Calais, France. Grave location V.G.2.