Thomas Charles Jones was born in Bagillt, Flintshire during 1896.
The 1911 Census states that the family lived at Glan Aber, New Brighton, Bagillt. The head of the family was John Hughes Jones aged 55. His wife was Margaret Jones aged 44 and their 6 (six) sons were Ino Evan Jones aged 22, who was employed as a Lead Smelter in the Bagillt Iron Foundry. Benjamin Hughes Jones aged 20, who was employed in the Welsh Flannel Mill as a Bobbin Carrier (A Weaver’s Assistant who supplied the Looms with Bobbins). Edward Albert Jones aged 17, who was employed as an Apprentice Cotton Spinner. Thomas Charles Jones was aged 15, Richard Owen Jones aged 12 and Edmund Wynne Jones aged 8. The family some time after 1911 moved to 4 Rising Sun, Merllyn Lane, Bagillt.
John Hughes Jones died on 2 January 1912 aged 57 years, followed on 20 August 1913 by Edmund Wynne Jones aged 10 years. They are buried in the family grave situated in New Brighton Cemetery, Flintshire.
Thomas entered his first theatre of war, France, on the 2nd of December 1915
Thomas was awarded the Military Medal “for bravery in the field” but why, when and where we don’t know. He also had the ususal 3 campaign medals.
He was Killed in Action during the battle of Mametz Wood on Monday 10th July 1916, aged 20 years. (Royal Welsh Fusiliers War Diaries).
Thomas’s elder brother Edward Albert Jones was also killed during the First World War and is remembered on the Bagillt War Memorial. Follow the link to read his story.
Six other Flintshire Soldiers were also killed in action on Monday 10 July 1916 during the Battle of Mametz Wood, they were – Sergeant 20496 James Congdon, Private 16442 Llewelyn Williams and Private 16534 Oscar Darby, who are remembered on the Rhyl War Memorial, 2nd Lieutenant James Victor Sinnett-Jones who is remembered on the Caerwys War Memorial and Lance Corporal 20977 Peter Jones and Private 26433 John Richard Jones who are remembered on the Greenfield War Memorial.
He is also remembered on The North Wales Heroes Memorial Arch, Deiniol Road, Bangor, North Wales.
There is a Flintshire Roll of Honour Card for Thomas Charles Jones at the County Archives Office, Hawarden, which was completed on 9 September 1919. Details of his medals were obtained from Ancestry.co.uk
