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Jones, John Lester

John Lester Jones was born in Ysceifiog, Flintshire during 1898.

The 1901 Census states that the family lived at Fferm Farm, Bagillt, Flintshire.   The head of the family was Adeline Louisa Jones aged 42, a Farmer.  Adeline and her deceased husband Thomas Arthur Jones had 7 (seven) children – Clara Maria Jones aged 20, Frances Alice Jones aged 18, Mary Edith Jones aged 13,  Thomas Arthur Jones aged 11, William Henry Jones aged 8,  Peter Howard Jones aged 6,and John Lester Jones aged 3 years.  Also living there at that time was Samuel Evans aged 31, a Carter (Farm Worker) and John Beck aged 69, a Farm Worker.

In 1911 the family were still at the farm with the exception of Frances Alice Jones and William Henry Jones who had by this time left home.  The remaining children were all employed as Farm Workers.

John Lester Jones enlisted at Bettisfield Park Camp, Nr Whitchurch, Shropshire on 19 February 1917.

The County Herald Newspaper reported the death of Rifleman John Lester Jones as follows:– ‘It is with regret that we announce the sad intelligence of the death of Rifleman John Lester Jones, the youngest son of Mrs Adeline Jones, of Fferm Farm, Bagillt.  The deceased who was only 20 years of age, had been in the Army for some time, he had been transferred to a Lancashire Regiment and having been home on leave about Christmas, shortly afterwards left for the front.  The information of his death was creative of grief at his home and amongst a number of relatives.  The chaplain of the battalion forwarded a letter to Mrs Jones, informing her that her son was in one of the trenches when an enemy shell exploded in the vicinity, with the result that he was killed instantaneously.  The other soldiers who were in the trench hurried to render assistance, but of course such was unavailing.  The Reverend Gentleman pays a tribute to the memory of the deceased hero, who was greatly respected by his comrades.  It may be here mentioned that prior to joining the Army, Jones was employed in farm duties at his home.’ 

On 23 May 1918 a payment of £8.16s.11d was made by the War Office to Mrs Adeline Jones, this being monies owed to her son.  On 21 November 1919, a further payment which is recorded as a War Gratuity of £3.10s.0d was also made to her.

He is also remembered on The North Wales Heroes Memorial Arch, Deiniol Road, Bangor, North Wales.

There is no Flintshire Roll of Honour Card for John Lester Jones at the County Archives Office, Hawarden.  Details of his medals were obtained from ancestry.co.uk


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