William Albert Jones was born on the 12th of June 1912 and was the son of Joseph Albert and Emily Jones (nee Brockley) who had married in St. Mark’s Church, Connah’s Quay on the 9th of March 1912 Joseph Albert Jones was 21 a bachelor and single, he was an Ironworker, and his address was 30, Primrose Street, Connah’s Quay, his father was William James Jones, also an Ironworker. Emily Brockley was 21 and a spinster, living at 32, Princes Street, Connah’s Quay, her father was John William Brockley, Ironworker. They married after Banns and their witnesses were Thomas Edward Jones and Mary Jones.
William Albert Jones is seen for the first time on the 1921 census, which was taken on the 19th June 1921, with his family, living at 49, Primrose Street, Connah’s Quay. Joseph Albert Jones was Head of the household, and he was now 30 years and 3 months old and born in Wednesbury. He was a Galvanizer at John Summers & Son Ltd. but was “Out of Work.” Emily Jones was 30 years and 9 months old and had been born in Whitegate, Aston Lyon. William Albert Jones was 9 years old; Harold Jones was 7 years and 7 months old; Florence May Jones was 6 years and 2 months old; Rose Jones was 2 years and 7 months old, and Thomas Jones was 1 year and 1 month old, all born in Connah’s Quay. There were Boarders there on that night, – Tom Jones, 27 years, and 6 months old, born in Brymbo, Denbighshire, he was a Steam Crane Driver at John Summers & Sons Ltd. His wife Mabel Jones was 32 years and 1 month old and had been born in Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire. Kenneth Jones was their son, and he was 1 year and 2 months old, born in Connah’s Quy, Flints.
The 1939 National Register, (taken on the 29th of September 1939), is a source for birthdates as well. I found the family now living at 31 Dodd’s Drive, Connah’s Quay, with Joseph A. Jones as head of the household, he had been born on the 12th of March 1891 and was a Steelworker, his wife Emily Jones (Snr.) had been born on the 16th of September 1890 and was doing “Unpaid Domestic Duties.” William A. Jones had been born on the 12th of June 1912, his brother, Harold Jones had been born on the 16th of November 1913 and both were single and Steel Workers. Their sister Emily Jones (Jnr.) had been born on the 26th of February 1930 and was at school.
This Register does tell us he was still home on the 29th of September 1939 when this register was taken. The Royal Welsh Enlistment Book states that he enlisted or was conscripted on the 20th of June 1940, this source also tells us that he was transferred to Highland Light Infantry on the 19th of July 1944, his documents being sent to Perth on the 11th August 1944.
The next Document – a Casualty List (Page 12) which tells us that he was Killed in Action on the 1st August 1944, the only one on that day on that list, and he was then in the 2nd (Glasgow Highlanders) Bn. under the heading of Highland Light Infantry. He died before his documents were sent to Perth!
The 2nd Battalion moved to Egypt early in the war and saw action at the Battle of Keren in March 1941. It then transferred to the Western Desert and saw combat at the Battle of Knightsbridge in June 1942 and the Battle of Fuka in July 1942. It took part in the Allied invasion of Sicily in July 1943 and, after a period in Yugoslavia, Albania and Greece, took part in the final advance into Northern Italy.
Taken from the Commonwealth War Graves Citation: –
The Allied offensive in north-western Europe began with the Normandy landings of 6 June 1944. There was heavy and fluctuating fighting in the vicinity of Tilly-sur-Seulles immediately after the landings involving chiefly the 49th and 50th Divisions. Tilly itself was not captured until 18 June and fighting continued nearby until mid-July. The cemetery contains 990 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War and 232 German graves. This is where William Albert now lies.
With help from Kyle on WW2 Talk Forum, without whom I would be lost at times, many thanks to them all.
Transcribed War Diaries:-
https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/29af12_fe371a2a50ac4ab9b3ddca330da55b47.pdf
and also https://www.15thscottishdivisionwardiaries.co.uk/2-ghrs
William Albert isn’t mentioned as such, but the Diary does mention that there were casualties on that day, so perhaps that is how and when William Albert died.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission Graves Concentration Report Forms tell us that William Albert was first buried at Bois du Homme with 2 other 2nd (Glasgow Highlanders) who died on the 1st August 1944 and then they were reburied on the 4th April 1946 at Tilly Sur Seulles British Cemetery where he now lies. Please see the Concentration Report below.
Charles Forrester from Shotton died on the 6th of April 1944 and was initially buried at Sourdevalle, France before being reburied at Tilly-sur-Seulles War Cemetery on the 28th January 1946. Please click on the link to read his story.
So, the two Deeside lads rest together.
William Albert Jones was well loved as his family put his name forward to be added to the WW2 War Memorial, he will be remembered for perpetuity.
