Randal Jones was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Jones, Clayton House, Church Rd, Buckley. Brothers and sisters present in 1911 were Jessie 32; Emily 30, an elementary school teacher; Herbert, 27; and Marian 21 and Randal 19, both teacher students. Thomas, aged 67 in 1911 was a retired brickworks foreman.
Randal’s death was announced in newspaper reports.
North Wales Coast Pioneer August 3rd 1916
Official intimation has been received by Mr Thomas Jones, Clayton House, Buckley, of the death of his son, Lance-Corporal Randle Jones, of the R.W.F., who was killed last April. He fell during the severe fighting in Mesopotamia in the endeavour to relieve General Townsend at Kut. His comrade, Private Arthur Jones, sent word at the time of his being missing after a certain bayonet charge, but his many friends and relatives have been hoping that he was a prisoner in the hands of the Turks. He was a well-educated man, passing from Buckley National School to Hawarden County School, and thence to Bangor College. He was a communicant and also a zealous worker in connection with St. Matthew’s Parish Church. His father was also organist at the same church for a great many years. His sister, Miss Emily Jones, is the headmistress of the St. Matthew’s School for Girls, Buckley. Much sympathy is extended to the family.
County Herald, August 16, 1916
Mr. Thomas Jones, Clayton House, has received official information that his youngest son, Lance-Corporal Randal Jones, was killed in action on the 9th April. Lance-Corporal Jones was a pupil of St. Matthew’s School and Hawarden County School and a member of the Church Lads’ Brigade. Enlisting in the R.W.F. in August, 1914, he was one of the first from this district to join Kitchener’s Army. He was engaged in Gallipoli campaign for 7 months, and was present both at the withdrawal from Sulva Bay and Cape Helles. He later went out via Egypt to Mesopotamia, where he took part in the attempt to relieve General Townshend, and after a severe engagement on April 9th was reported missing. Now the War Office state that he was killed in action.
Randal is remembered on the family grave at St. Matthew’s.
In loving memory of
Florence
eldest daughter of
Thomas and Elizabeth Jones
Clayton House, Buckley
Born 15th June 1875
Died 3 April 1906
Also the above Elizabeth Jones
Who died August 21st 1911
Aged 59 years
Also Thomas Jones
Who died November 18th 1916 aged 73 years
Organist of this church
Also Randal
Lance Cpl RWF
Killed in action Mesopotamia
April 9th 1916
Also Jessie
Who died May 15th 1928
Thy will be done