Owen Jones, Stoker

Owen Jones, Stoker, Mercantile Marine, HMS Cambria. Died, age 56, on 8 March 1917, cause unknown.

Owen Jones was born in Holyhead on 5 May 1860. He was the son of Richard, a Stoker, born at Holyhead and Jane Jones, born at Liverpool. He was the husband of Mary Ellen Jones (nee Hughes). They married at Liverpool on 21 August 1898. In 1891 he may have been lodging at 19 Hero Street, Bootle, Liverpool, employed as a Ships Fireman. Owen joined the LNWR at Holyhead on the 16 August 1900. In 1901 Owen and his wife were living at 11 Cecil Street. He was then employed as a Marine Fireman. Their son William John Jones was born in Holyhead on the 19 December 1901.

The Census of 1911 lists Owen Jones (49), employed as a Fireman for the LNWR and his wife, Mary Ellen Jones (49) living at 2 Old Post Road, Holyhead. Also at the address was their only surviving son, William John Jones (9) with William Roberts (29), Boarder, employed as a Labourer.

Shortly after outbreak of war in August 1914 Owen was serving on board HMS Cambria and continued with the vessel after she was converted to a Hospital Ship in July 1915. He left the Cambria on 31 January 1916 but continued to be employed on other LNWR ships at Holyhead. He died at Denbighshire County Lunatic Asylum on 8 March 1917 (death registered at St. Asaph - 11b 514).

He is not listed on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) Debt of Honour Register. His omission may have been due to the nature of his demise not meeting the requirements for CWGC commemoration. The town considered this differently and included his name on the Memorial.

Buried at Maeshyfryd Cemetery, Holyhead in the family grave together with his wife, Mary Ellen Jones (d.1944) and son, William John Jones (d.1937)