John Herbert Jones was born in Saint Asaph Flintshire in 1895.
The 1901 census on Ancestry.co.uk shows that the Jones family were living at an address on Chester Street, Saint Asaph, Flintshire.
Head of the family was John Charles Jones age 39, born in Saint Asaph, a joiner by trade. His wife was Margaret age 40 born in Flint, Flintshire and their children were William C. age 11, Thomas age 8, John Herbert age 6, Wilfred age 3 and Margaret Elena age 1. All the children were born in Saint Asaph.
Ten years on, the 1911 Census on Ancestry.co.uk reveals to us that some of the children have left home and that there is an addition to the family.
The Jones family were still living at 13 Chester Street, Saint Asaph, Head John Charles Jones was still in the same trade of Joiner, age 49. Margaret his wife was 51 years of age and the children remaing at home were Thomas, age 18, a Railway Porter by trade, Wilfred age 13, Margaret age 11 and Edith Ann age 1 born in Saint Asaph.
I cannot trace John Herbert on Ancestry in 1911.
Record of Service Card at Flintshire Archives, Hawarden.
The card reads as follows;
John Herbert Jones enlisted into the 1/7th Battalion of the Manchester Regiment in 1914, regimental number 3004, address, 13, Chester Street, Saint Asaph .Died of wounds at Doullens Hospital April 6th 1918.
The card is signed by H. Simon and dated 23/9/1919
John Herbert Jones’ regimental number was changed to 275791 but he remained with the 1/7th Battalion, Manchester Regiment.
The following information is from the website of Forces War Records.
1/5th 1/6th 1/7th and 1/8th Battalions Territorial Forces
04.08.1914 The 1/5th Stationed at Wigan, Greater Manchester, the 1/6th stationed at Hulme, Manchester, the 1/7th stationed at Burlington Street, Manchester and the 1/8th stationed at Ardwick near Manchester at the outbreak of war. All were part of the Manchester Brigade of the East Lancashire Division and moved to Rochdale at the end of Aug.
10.09.1914 Mobilised for war and embarked for Alexandria from Southampton arriving 25.09.1914. the Division moved to Cairo and on to defend the Suez Canal except The Manchester Brigade which remained at Alexandria to garrison key military installations.
06.05.1915 Landed at Gallipoli and transferred to the 127th Brigade of the 42nd Division. The Division was involved in attempts to break out of the Helles bridgehead The Battle of Krithia Vineyard; an unsuccessful attempt to divert Turk attention from a large British landing.
Jan 1916 Due to a high number of casualties the Division was down to one third of its original strength and was evacuated from Gallipoli to Egypt to defend the Suez Canal.
Mar 1917 Moved to France where the Division was involved in actions on the Western Front including; The Second Battle of Passchendaele.
Feb 1918 The 1/8th Battalion transferred to 126th Brigade of the same Division and all Battalions continued to engage in actions on the Western Front;
During 1918
The Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Ancre, The Battle of Albert, The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of the Canal du Nord, The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle, the Final Advance in Picardy.
11.11.1918 Ended the war in France, Hautmont area, S.W. of Maubeuge.
The war Diary of the Manchester Regiment shows the action on 4th,5th,and 6th of April 1918, but unfortunately we cannot say when John was wounded.
John was awarded The British War Medal and The Victory Medal.
He is buried in Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension 1, Somme, France.
