Thomas Jones, Engineer Lieutenant RNR

Born at Rhuddlan, Flintshire on 16 March 1858. He was the husband of Annie Ellen Jones (nee Williams, b. about 1863 at Carnarvon). They married at Carnarvon in 1883. In 1901 they lived at 6 Maeshyfryd Road, Holyhead. At this time they had three children - Gwilym Goronwy Jones (5), Gwadlys Laura Jones (9) and Ellen M Jones (16). An additional child, LIzzie, died in 1890 aged 3 years. In 1911 they lived at Riversdale, Four Mile Bridge, Anglesey having had a further child, Joyce Dilys F Jones (8). He commenced work with the LNWR at Holyhead on 6 June 1883. The family may also have lived at 3 Longford Terrace, Holyhead during the 1890's.

Remarks in his Railway Employment Records record that he was lost from his ship at night on 10 September 1915 after failing to report for duty. The report also mentions that his body was recovered on 2 October and returned to Holyhead the next day for burial. It has been suggested that he may have suffered a heart attack.

In October 1918 his daughter, Gwadlys Laura Jones married Private E A Hughes of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards and from Arfryn, Valley. His son Gwilym followed in his fathers footsteps, serving in the Mercantile Marine during WW1 and gaining his First Mate's Certificate in 1923. His youngest daughter, Dilys married Hugh L Jones at Holyhead in 1927.

Thomas Jones 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 has included his name on the Memorial.

His body was recovered from Sheephaven Bay, County Donegal and buried at Holyhead (Maeshyfryd) Burial Board Cemetery together with his daughter Lizzie. Grave B.908.

With thanks to Dennis Jones for the photograph of his grandfather.