Flintshirewarmemorials.com
Name Percy Griffith Jones
Regiment Royal Engineers then 20th Sqd Royal Air Force
Service Rank and Number Sapper 69495 then Second Lieutenant
Military Cemetery/Memorial Longuenesse (St Omer) Souvenir Cemetery
Ref No. of Grave or Memorial V.C. 38
Country of Cemetery/Memorial France
Medals Awarded Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals
Date and Circumstances of Death Died on 2 July 1918 aged 29
Biographical Details Known Percy was the son of Griffith Jones and stepson of Annie Jones of The Chalet Mold. He was born in 1889 (approx- his age varies on different documents). There is some interesting correspondence in his army records. The first one that we've transcribed here was addressed to Percy in the USA.
Royal Engineers Record Office
Brompton Barracks
Chatham
30th December 1914
PG Jones
C/o Central YMCA
1421 Arch Street
Philadelphia
Penn
USA
Sir
In reply to your letter of the 18th inst. I have to inform you that on your arrival in the United Kingdom you should apply to the nearest Recruiting Officer - taking this letter with you- who will submit the question of your enlistment to this office on A.F.B 203 supported by this correspondence and some testimony as to your trade qualifications.
If you are physically fit and your testimonials are satisfactory you will in all probability be accepted for the Royal Engineers,
Yours faithfully
Signature illegible
Copies of two testimonials
A from last English firm
The Sun Patent Evap Co
428 Tower Bridge
Liverpool
27th March 1913
To ?
53 Victoria St
Westminster SW
Hydraulic, steam and general engineers
Mr P G Jones has been in our employ for about 12 months, firstly in the drawing office and partly superintending the installation of steam and pumping plants.
We have always found him to be very trustworthy and reliable, quick and resourceful having effective control over workmen and using tact in management. He is a good designer, accurate in work we have no hesitation in recommending him and feel assured that he would give satisfaction in any position and display diligence and application
signed F W Woodroffe
Managing Director
B From USA
Burlington Distilling co
(Denatured Alcohol and its by- products)
Burlington
N J
20th May 1914
To Whom it may concern
Mr PG Jones was with this company as 1st assistant to the Chief design and builder in connection with the design, layout and maintenance of the power plant and works.
He was found compliant, reliable and honourable in whatever work he undertook. We know him to be a hardworking student with the best of habits.
Trusting that you will be able to place Mr Jones with this information.
I remain
very truely yours
Signed J W kenerel
Superintendent
Percy, obviously a skilled and qualified mechanical draughtsman, returned to the UK and was accepted by the Royal Engineers. He signed his attestation papers on 5th March 1915 in Liverpool. He named his father Griffith Jones of The Chalet', Nr Mold as his next of kin. In November 1916 he completed Army form w 3297 which was his will leaving all of his property and effects to his step brother Griffith Annesley Jones of 'the Chalet', nr Mold. He embarked for France as part of the Expeditionary Force on the 7th November 1915.
There is a letter from the Royal Engineers at Chatham to a Mrs Jones, 14 High Street, Llanerchymead explaining that Percy was admitted to the 3rd Northern General Hospital Sheffield on July 26th 1916. Army form B 103 states that he was wounded on 21st July 1916 was returned to England with shell shock. We're not sure who the Mrs Jones was. His mother?
Despite his glowing testimonials, Percy was not always a model soldier and in his records are lists of 'offences' that he committed. eg. being absent from tattoo, Having a dirty rifle, being absent from parade then found asleep in a barn 4 hours later. For these and other offences he lost pay.
Despite all this Percy was promoted. On the 13th August 1918 he was discharged from the Royal Engineers on being appointed to a temporary commission. He was 'Gazetted' on 27th March 1917
As we see from his Commonwealth War Grave Certificate he was Second Lieutenant Percy Griffith Jones of the 20th Sqdn Royal Air Force when he died.