The 1891 Census tells us that the family lived in Rhes-y-Cae, Flintshire.  The head of the family was Joseph Jones aged 36, who was employed at Long Rake Lead Mine, Rhes-y-Cae as a Lead Miner.  His wife was Margaret Jones aged 36 and their three listed children  were  Joseph Edward Jones aged 8, Thomas Jones aged 3 and William Jones aged 10 months.

In 1901 the family were still living in Rhes-y-Cae, Flintshire.  Joseph Edward Jones who was then 18 years of age was employed as a Railway Porter.

During 1908 Joseph married Elizabeth Ann Jones aged 19.  The 1911 Census states that they lived in River View, Bagillt, Flintshire.  He was  employed at Bettisfield Colliery, Bagillt, Flintshire as a Shunter.  They had a son also named Joseph Edward Jones aged 2 months.  Some time after this they moved house again to 10 Conways Row, Bagillt, Flintshire.

It is not known when Joseph Edward Jones enlisted but we do know that he arrived in France with the Battalion on Thursday 2 December 1915. He served in that theatre of war for sometime. On Thursday 3 May 1917, he with other troops, boarded the SS Transylvania at Marseille for Alexandria, Egypt. At 10 am on Friday 4 May 1917, the ship was struck by a torpedo fired by U Boat U-63 under the command of Otto Schultz. Joseph along with many others was killed. He has no known grave but he is listed on the Savona Memorial in Italy.

There is a Flintshire Roll of Honour Card for Joseph Edward Jones at the County Archives Office, Hawarden, which was completed on 9 September 1919 by Lizzie Ann Bennett, Joseph’s wife who had now re-married.

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

Joseph Edward Jones is also named on the Rhes y Cae Memorial. Follow the link to read his story.