William came from an old Connah’s Quay sea faring family as his father Frederick was a Master Mariner. The 1901 census tells us that the family lived at 28, Golftyn Street, Connahs Quay, Flintshire.  Father Frederick was age 30, a Master Mariner who had been born in  Connah’s Quay, Flintshire as had all the family. His wife, Catherine A. was 30. Their listed children were  Mary A.  9,  Catherine M 7 and William was  5.

I think that William’s parents, Frederick Jones and Catherine A. Hughes married in a civil ceremony in Chester in 1890, I would have to purchase the certificate to confirm, (ROC/27/9)

The 1911 census records the family  living at 14 Waterloo St Connah’s Quay.  Head of the household Fred, 40, was listed this time as a Labourer, (Electrics). His wife of 20 years, Catherine Ann was  40.  She had given birth to four children who were still living with them.Mary Ann 19,  Catherine Maud  17,  William 15 was a Scrap Cutter and there was a new sister Martha who was  6.

William Jones is mentioned in the book ” Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 – 1918   Royal Welsh Fuliliers   Volume 28″ The regimental details above are confirmed. It tells us that he lived in Connah’s Quay and that he enlisted in Wrexham. It says he was a  Lance Corporal who was Killed in action Mesopotamia on the  11th April 1917.

William was the only son of Frederick & Catherine Ann they showed their love by making sure he wasn’t forgotten, he was remembered in quite a few places.   Families had to put names forward for them to be included in Memorials.  William is also remembered on the Hawarden War Memorial

There was no Flintshire WW1 Index Card for William but his Army Service Records have survived and are accessible on www. ancestry.co.uk. They are in poor condition but can tell us parts of his story.

He signed up very early in the war and  attested on 11th August 1914 in Wrexham. His age is difficult to read but could say 19 years and 8 months.  His trade was ‘iron worker’.

He was posted to the 8th Bn of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers on the 21st August 1914. He was appointed Lance Corporal on the 10th February 1916.

William enlisted 7 days after war was declared in 1914, (11th August), he was 19 years 8 months old, His trade was ‘iron worker’ and his religion, a Methodist.   He died 11th April 1917, so he was just 22 years old.   On his Army Service records, there were no personal effects for his family to keep and there was no place stated where he was killed in action.   His grave is not known, except somewhere in Mesopotamia.  It lists his family who were still living on 18th September 1919 and confirms he was the only son.

It is just possible to see that his medals included The Victory and the British War medals. (It has not proved possible to find his medal card).

There is an army Relatives Form that was completed in September 1919. It lists the following family members

Father, Frederick Jones.  Mother Catherine Ann Jones. His three sisters were listed as  Mary Ann Griffiths 27 of 14, Waterloo Street, Connah’s Quay.   Catherine Maud Williams 25 of  12 Waterloo Street, Connah’s Quay and  Martha Jones 15 of  45 Dee Road, Connahs’ Quay The Declaration was signed by Frederick Jones, Father, 45, Dee Road, Connah’s Quay.

There is an army conduct sheet which records that William got into trouble once of twice. He was ‘Confined to Barracks for 5 days in March 1915 for being absent from parade. Almost immediately he got another 4 days ‘Confined to barracks’ for having an untidy berth. He also got into trouble for not complying with an order.

From his Service Records – Letter to the Army :- Letter from 14, Waterloo Street, Connah’s Quay dated 7th May 1916

Dear Sir, Thank you for your prompt  ???cation this morning in which you have informed me of my Dear Son Pte. Wm. Jones (11544) being wounded in action.    Will you kindly inform me of the condition of his wounds also the place where he has been wounded, as Father & Mother are very anxious to know all particulars & safety of their only Son & Oblige.  Yours Respectively F. Jones.

It also seems from his Casualty Form that he was wounded and invalided out to India on the 1st June 1916 by the Hospital Ship “Alnwick Castle”, this ship was torpedoed on the 19th March 1917 after rescuing the crew of the “Trevose”, who lost 2 crew.    40 of those originally on board of the “Alnwick Castle” perished.

*http://www.unioncastlestaffregister.co.uk/SHIP_ALNWICK_CASTLE_1_01.html

Another paper (Casualty):-   It seems he was returned to fight as he embarked at Bombay and disembarked at Busra (sic) and in the “Field” on the 15th February 1917 and killed in action on 13th April 1917.

UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919 about William Jones confirms the regimental information above and tells us he was born and resided in Connah’s Quay and enlisted at Wrexham.

William Jones in the UK, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 tells us that the sole Legatee was his mother Catherine Ann who was paid £12. 10s 0d, lots of figures are on his entry, seemingly there was some erroneous credit of £1. 18s 1d and a part recovery of £3 which it looks was taken on the 7th November 1917. (Such small figures now, but were very large sums then.)

William is commemorated on a family grave in Connah’s Quay cemetery.

In loving memory of Catherine Ann beloved Wife of Capt. Frederick Jones

died May 6th 1922 aged 51 years.  

Also the above Capt. Frederick Jones died August 23rd 1924

aged ed 53 years. “At Rest”.    

Also William son of the above who was killed in action (Mesopotamia)

April 11th 1917 aged 21 years.

“From School to War and then eternal rest”.

(Connah’s Quay Monumental Inscription   Volume 6 – Page 14 YA 27 (C/no: A403)  –

* http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/allied/welchfusiliers8-gw.php