James Jones killed at the Somme

Post by **Hilary** » 31 May 2011 18:58

This is for one of the society members

Her uncle was James Jones the son of Thomas Parry Jones and his wife Sarah. They lived at 42 Syren Street Kirkdale.

James Jones was born in 1890 and worked as a dock labourer before enlistment. Unfortunately his papers don't seem to have survived and his regiment is not known. No photos etc survive for him. All that is known by our member is that he was killed on the Somme maybe 1916/17. She also remebers being taken to the town hall and told her uncle was on a board there.

Can anyone help fill in a few more details.

Many thanks

Post by **Katie** » 31 May 2011 19:28

Was he married Hilary?

Here is a list of Soldiers I currently have in my database and my list starts 1st July 1916 to 31st December 1916.

King's Liverpool Regiment
Jones
4675
James
Rifleman
Liverpool
8th August 1916
Killed
Husband of Nellie Jones, 50, Melrose Road, Kirkdale.
=======================================

He is the only one who had next of kin in Liverpool.

I think I also have a picture of him as well.

He was aged 27 years old according to his obituary which I also have.

Post by **Hilary** » 31 May 2011 19:34

Many thanks Katie.

I've no idea if he was married but I'll see the member on Thursday and ask her.

Post by **Hilary** » 31 May 2011 19:47

I've been doing a bit more digging and I've found a marriage of a James Jones to Ellen Thomas in 1913 at St Lawrtence Church Kirkdale. I've found what looks like Ellen living in Othello Strret before her marriage.

I've no idea if Syren Street and Othello are near.

Also according to CWGC James was the husband of Nellie Holmes (Formerly Jones) of 68 First Ave South Oshawa Canada so it's possible the present day nieces and nephews have no idea he was married.

I think the marriage will have to be investigated

Many thanks

Post by **Hilary** » 31 May 2011 19:54

Looking hopeful

Ellen Jones married Thomas Holmes in 1919 at St Lawrence Kirkdale.

Unfortunately St Lawrence Church records don't appear to be at Liverpool Record Office does anyone know where they are?

Just found this James Jones service records no mention of parents or siblings. I think she will have to get the marriage certificate. However the marriages I've found seem to be the correct ones.

Post by **Katie** » 31 May 2011 20:04

Marriage 1919

Thomas Holmes married Ellen Jones widow her father was Thomas Thomas - Rigger.

Her first marriage to James Jones his father is Thomas Jones a storekeeper and her father is Thomas Thomas a Rigger.

St Laurence Kirkdale are at Liverpool 283 LAW

Post by **Hilary** » 31 May 2011 20:15

Thanks you're brilliant!

It looks hopeful Thomas Jones the father of the lady's James is a dock labourer on the census before the War.

The Ellen Thomas I found in Othello Street has a father Thomas a rigger.
I never thought to look on Ancestry for the marriages what a twerp!

It does sound very very likely. Is there anything in the obituary about his past life siblings etc?

Post by **Katie** » 31 May 2011 20:25

All it says is Jones - Aug 8th Killed in France, aged 27 years Rifleman James Jones, dearly beloved husband of Nellie Jones of 50 Melrose Road, Kirkdale

Post by **Hilary** » 31 May 2011 20:49

It's him!

I looked for a marriage of his sister Margaret and found her marrying at St pauls North Shore Kirkdale in 1912. Father Thomas Jones storekeeper. A witness was james Jones same signature as at his marriage the following year. And best of all her address is Syren Street.

I think there' ll be one happy lady on Thursday.

I asked after medals and she's never seen any. They went to Canada!

Thanks

Post by **daggers** » 31 May 2011 23:14

From Katie's information, we get the War Graves Commission details:
"Name: JONES, JAMES
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Rifleman
Regiment/Service: The King's (Liverpool Regiment)
Unit Text: 1st/5th Bn.
Date of Death: 08/08/1916
Service No: 4675
Additional information: Husband of Ellen Holmes (formerly Jones), of 68, First Avenue, South Oshawa, Ontario, Canada.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 1 D 8 B and 8 C.
Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL"

This shows that there is there is no known grave - the memorial is to the missing of the Somme campaign. The 1st/5th Battalion were Territorials.
The National Archives have a Medal Index Card for this J. Jones, and it is probably available free from Ancestry. It should show his entitlement to campaign medals and may have a little more detail, but many do not.

D

Post by **Katie** » 01 Jun 2011 09:01

I will copy the picture today if its him and will be in touch with regards to getting it to Bootle. What time is the meeting on tomorrow?

Post by **daggers** » 01 Jun 2011 10:51

Hilary
You mention in post #1 that your contact was taken to the Town Hall and shown the name on the board there.
Was this Liverpool Town Hall, or perhaps Bootle?
I have looked for this J. Jones on the Liverpool TH database but cannot see him listed with the details we have, but sadly the roll contains many errors and an unknown number of omissions.
Daggers

Post by **Hilary** » 01 Jun 2011 13:47

Hi Katie
We're not at Bootle for the next 2 weeks so could you perhaps give the copy to Mary at the next Liverpool meeting and she will pass it on.

I'll see the lady at the Southport meeting tomorrow and I shan't tell her about the photo so it will be a nice surprse whenI give it her.

Hi Daggers
The lady in question only has vague memories of the incident which I would imagine took place in the early 1930s. She just thought it was Liverpool.

Thank you everyone she will be so thrilled.

Post by **Katie** » 01 Jun 2011 17:38

The picture is him I have also got a roll of honour notice published 1917 from his Mum and Dad

Post by **MaryA** » 01 Jun 2011 21:00

These things you are finding are wonderful Katie, any descendant is going to be over the moon with them.

Post by **Hilary** » 01 Jun 2011 21:43

I can't thank Katie enough for what she has on James Jones. The member in question will be over the moon when I given her everything tomorrow. I'll report back on her reaction.

Post by **Hilary** » 02 Jun 2011 16:50

The lady in querstion was absolutely thrilled she coildn't wait to get home and ring her cousin.

They had no idea he had married or that his widow had married and gone to Canada. However they recognised the name of the man the sister Margaret married.

Once again thanks very much Katie.

Post by **Katie** » 04 Jun 2011 09:11

Glad to help