Thomas was the son of William and Elizabeth Jones. The family was recorded in the census of 1891 living in Salop Road, Overton. Head of the household, William was 32 and worked as a Farm Labourer. He had been born in Ellesmere. His wife, Elizabeth was 33. She had been born in Worthenbury. There were four listed children. The two eldest were William’s step children. William Roberts was 13 and Margaret Roberts was 11. The two younger children were Thomas Jones who was 3 and Harriet Jones who was 8 months old.
The next census in 1901 finds the family living in Back Lane, Overton. William was then 42 and still an Agricultural Labourer. Elizabeth was 44. Their listed children were Thomas 13 – a Butcher’s Assistant. Harriet 10, Walter 6 and Joseph 4 were all at school. Stepson William Roberts was then 22 and was a General Labourer. Stepdaughter Margaret Roberts was 20 and worked as a Laundress.
In 1911 The family was still in Back Lane, Overton. William was 53 and his wife of 25 years, Elizabeth was 55. Listed at home were Thomas aged 23 and a General Labourer. Harriet was 20 and was described as a General Servant who was ‘out of a situation’. Joseph was 14 and at school.
Thomas married Agnes Edwards in 1912. She was the daughter of Francis William Edwards a House Painter of Tanners Row, Bangor Road, Overton and his wife Mary.
UK Soldiers Who Died in The Great War 1914-19, accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk includes an entry for Thomas Jones. It says he was born in (the District of) Holywell. His residence was in Ellesmere, Salop and he enlisted in Brierly Hill, Staffordshire. It lists him as Sapper 398821 of The Royal Engineers, formerly 35316 of the York and Lancaster Regiment. (83 rd Field Coy. Royal. Engineers.). It says he was killed in action on the 24th March 1918 in the Western European Theatre of the war.
His medal Index Card, also on Ancestry lists his two medals and in addition, gives us four different regimental numbers that he had during his time in the army. He began in the York and Lancaster Regiment with the number 35316. Then in the Royal Engineers his numbers were 212747, 8821, 398821
There is an index card for Thomas Jones in The Flintshire Roll of Honour in the County Record Office in Hawarden. (Card Overton F 15). The address given was Tanner’s Row, Overton. Thomas was Sapper 398821 in the the Royal Engineers. The card tells us he had served for 3 years, which suggests he enlisted in 1915. The date of his death was not known. He had been missing since the 24th March 1918. The card was signed by Mrs. T. Jones on the 8th November 1919. (Presumably, Agnes Jones).
The Register of Soldiers’ Effects in which the army calculated what moneys were owed to deceased soldiers includes an entry for Thomas Jones. It tells us that he was presumed dead on the 24th March 1918 and the sole Legatee was his widow Agnes who was paid £21 5s 6d on the 3rd September 1919, this included his War Gratuity of £7 10s.
From the Overton Oracle….
The 83rd Field Company of the Royal Engineers was part of the 20th (Light) Division established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener’s Second New Army. On 21 March 1918 the German Army launched a large-scale offensive against the Allied front on the Somme battlefield. The offensive is known as the Kaiserschlacht or the Kaiser’s Battle. The offensive on the Somme battle sector was the first of several German large-scale attacks made against the Allied line on the northern part of the Western Front in the spring of 1918. The Battle of St. Quentin began on 21st March 1918. On 24th March Thomas (aged 30) was reported missing presumed dead.
Many thanks to Jill Burton, Editor of ‘The Overton Oracle’ which regularly publishes the Overton memorial stories. We are delighted to collaborate with her and are very grateful for additional information that we can add to our stories on this website.