John Jones, HMS Merse

The trawler was sunk by a mine off Garroch Head, Isle of Bute whilst escorting HMS Ramilies to the River Mersey for repair after she had damaged her rudder on launching. All 17 crewmembers were lost, including four from Holyhead.HMT Merse (296 tons) was completed in December 1914 for the Mersey Steam Trawling Co. of Fleetwood and was requisitioned in February 1915. Mine laid by the German Submarine UC 65 on 30 April 1917.

An eyewitness on the HM Trawler The Roman recorded the loss - "Was employed sweeping in front of the new dreadnought, HMS Ramillies, that was being escorted to Liverpool by several destroyers and armed trawlers. All of a sudden we heard a very loud explosion and on looking in the direction of the sound I saw the 2 wireless masts of a trawler falling toward each other. It was the trawler 'Merse.' She had struck a mine. Not a man was seen thereafter. The only thing that was picked up was the small boat."

All 17 crewmembers were lost, including three others from Holyhead (John Higgins, John Roberts and Richard Roberts).

Awarded the British War Medal.

Born on 30 May 1898 at Holyhead. Son of Owen and Mary E Jones of Beech Villa, 18 Leonard Street, Holyhead.

Commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Panel 27. He is also remembered on a family grave at Maeshyfryd Cemetery, Holyhead.