Harry Jones was born in the June quarter of 1922, (Hawarden Vol. 11b Page 375) the son of Henry & Rebecca Jones (nee Parker) who had married in St. Ethelwold’s Church, Shotton on the 20th of December 1920.
Henry JONES, 28, Bachelor, Ironworker, Bethel Villa, Shotton Lane, Samuel JONES, Ironworker & Rebecca PARKER, 27, Spinster, 5 Estyn Terrace, Shotton, John PARKER, Ironworker (After Banns). Vicar – JAMES J.J. ROBINSON*
Witnesses: -John PARKER, Enoch PARKER & Martha JONES.
*J.J.J. Robinson was the Vicar of St. Ethelwold’s Church during the awful First World War, and he asked families to tell him of their “Fallen” fathers, sons and brothers from the families of the Parish, so that they could have their names recorded, their names are on the Plaques in the Lady Chapel. Click on the link to read their stories.
The following year, on the 19th of June 1921 the 1921 census was taken, and we see the young couple for the first time in their home at 18, Crossways, Shotton. Head of the household was Henry Jones, 28 years, and 11 months old; he had been born at Ocker Hill, Staffordshire and was a Doubler at the Galvanised Sheet Dept., at J. Summers & Sons Steelworks, Hawarden Bridge , Shotton. Rebecca Jones was 28 years old and had been born at Hauton Quarry, Liverpool, Lancashire.
I have no information on Harry during his childhood or teen years, but he must have joined the R.A.F. early as he was only 22 when he was killed. Any information would be gratefully received as we do not want him to be forgotten.
The 1939 National Register (Taken on the 29th of September 1939) shows Henry & Rebecca living at Pant y Corns, Green Lane, Ewloe Green, Hawarden, Flintshire. It is this source that gives us their dates of birth: – Henry – 13th of July 1892 and Rebecca’s on the 18th of June 1893. Henry is an Electrician’s Labourer doing Heavy Work and Rebecca, like most married women without a job, is described as doing “Unpaid Domestic Duties.“ There are 2 redactions or closed records, so they may be either Harry and a sibling or two siblings. On the other hand, I was thinking because of the 70- or 100-year rule they were redacted, but underneath are 2 school children, William R. Griffith born 24th March 1928 and Eric G. Griffiths, born 13th February 1930. I have no idea who these two children are. In any case Harry could already be in the R.A.F. as he would need lots of training, and by 1939 he would have been 17 years old, so probably could either be in the R.A.F. or near to enlisting, any information would be gratefully received.
Please read the Report of the Flying Accident, which was given me by Dave of the WW2Talk Forum, http://ww2talk.com/index.php?threads/harry-jones-flying-officer-wireless-op-air-gunner.81493/ ,
without this I was really stuck on what happened to Harry, so many, many thanks to him and all the members of the WW2 Forum, who have helped through my research for both Connah’s Quay & Shotton and Hawarden. Dave also told me that Harry’s D.F.M. was earned when Harry was in 76 Squadron and I think that I may have found him in that Squadron flying in a Halifax V EB;250 “R” on the 5th of September 1943, taking off at 19.33 and landing at 02.35. I know with the name JONES, H., it is a long shot, but it might be him. (https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D8454003 – Page 4 of 32)
On the website http://www.rafcommands.com/database/serials/details.php?uniq=DG226 is the information below:-
RankSort by Rank Name, Number, Trade & DetailsSort by Last Name DateCurrently Sorted by Date UnitSort by Unit CountrySort by Country Cemetery/Memorial & Loc Ref
Flight Sergeant Emerson Gordon BARRIE (R/174466) Navigator Halifax DG226 IBCC 1944-08-24 1652 HCU United Kingdom Harrogate (Stonefall) CemeteryRef : Sec. E. Row C. Grave 3.
Flying Officer Glenn David Welsh BURNIE (J/36277) Air Bomber Halifax DG226 IBCC 1944-08-24 1652 HCU United Kingdom Harrogate (Stonefall) CemeteryRef : Sec. E. Row C. Grave 6.
Flying Officer Harry JONES (171287) Wireless Op./Air Gunner Halifax DG226 IBCC 1944-08-24 1652 HCU United Kingdom Hawarden CemeteryRef : Sec. 2G. Grave 35.
Flight Sergeant John Duncan MORRISON (R/213960) Air Gunner Halifax DG226 IBCC 1944-08-24 1652 HCU United Kingdom Harrogate (Stonefall) CemeteryRef : Sec. E. Row C. Grave 4.
Sergeant Clyde Roswell OSBORNE (R/154757) Pilot Halifax DG226 IBCC 1944-08-24 1652 HCU United Kingdom Harrogate (Stonefall) CemeteryRef : Sec. E. Row C. Grave 5.
Sergeant James Edward ROBINSON (1594686) Flight Engineer Halifax DG226 IBCC 1944-08-24 1652 HCU United Kingdom Hale Cemetery
A website that Dave from the wonderful WW2talk Forum sent me, telling the story of the DG226, and the photographs and Gravestones of some of the crew who died.
http://www.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk/aircraft/yorkshire/york44/dg226.html
Taken from the website above: –
Harry Jones was awarded the DFM for service with 76 Squadron, Gazetted on 18th January 1944 for earlier service. By the time his DFM notification came through he had been granted a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 3rd January 1944 and rose to F/O six months later.
Aircraft accidents in Yorkshire – August 1944.
http://www.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk/aircraft/yorkshire/york44/aug44.html
The bodies of Harry and James Edward Robinson were returned to their families to be buried near to their homes, but the other 4, all from the Royal Canadian Air Force, were buried in Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery, Yorkshire, so they were buried many thousands of miles from their homes. I have a list of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission details of these brave boys, who were all under 24 years of age.
Harry was very much loved as can be seen by the Inscription on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Citation, and they made sure his name was put forward to be added to the War Memorial.
IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR DEAR SON HARRY. IN JESU’S KEEPING
