Description
World War 1 Family Group, 1914-15 Star Trio to the South Lancs, died in Salonika, 1914-15 Star & Victory Medal and another Victory Medal all to the Jones family.
Medals all with scarce original silk ribbons
1.) 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medal, 13527 Pte Henry Jones, 9th Battalion South Lancashire Regiment.
Private Henry Jones died near the end of the war on 24th October 1918, being buried at Mikra British Cemetery, Kalamaria, Greece.
He had transferred to the 201st Company Labour Corps with Service No 533286.
Originally he landed with the 9th South Lancs in France on 6th September 1915, however shortly afterwards the Regiment was transferred over to the Salonika Front in November 1915, where he later died on 24th October 1918 at Thessalonika.
The Salonika theatre of war was very trying on the soldiers, he was admitted to Hospital whilst with C Company, 9th South Lancs in November 1916 with Malaria and again for Gastritis and in November 1917 with Deafness.
2.) 1914-15 Star, Victory Medal, K14322 William Jones, Stoker 1st Class, Royal Navy
With an original photo which appears to be of this Sailor.
Born on 7th January 1889 in Birkenhead, Cheshire, signing on with the Royal Navy on 1st November 1911 having been Number 105897 a “Holder-up” at a Shipyard.
He saw the following wartime postings:
HMS Dublin, 13th Oct 1913 – 27th Dec 1914
Dublin, 4th Jan 1915 – 22nd July 1915
During this period on HMS Dublin, he took part in the Gallipoli Campaign, assisting Implacable’s landing assault upon Gallipoli on 25th April 1925 at “X Beach”, before being sent to Brindisi in May 1915.
Soon after whilst taking part in a sweep off the Albanian coast, and whilst being escorted by French and Italian Destroyers, Dublin was hit and damaged by a torpedo fired from the Austro Hungarian Navy Submarine U-4 on 9th June 1915.
The Dublin was fortunate to get away and return to Brindisi but was out of action for several months, prompting his removal from the shop.
HMS Amethyst, 23rd July 1915 – 2nd August 1915
HMS London, 17th Dec 1915 – 8th April 1916
HMS Vivid II, 9th April 1916 – 10th June 1916
HMS New Zealand, 11th June 1916 – 10th Feb 1919
This ship was present as a member of the 2nd BC Squadron at the surrender of the High Seas Fleet in November 1918, to witness the event HMS New Zealand embarked 5 soldiers from the New Zealand Division and a New Zealand Newspaper Reporter, the ship was assigned responsibility for checking the compliance of the SMS Derfflinger with the terms of its internment.
He would still be on board in December 1918 when the ship was used to convey Queen Maud and Prince Olav from Norway on their state visit of the United Kingdom.
HMS Vivid II, 11th Feb 1919 – 9th May 1919
HMS Revenge, 10th May 1919 – 9th October 1919.
Of interest during his service, he was on HMS Revenge in the immediate post war period, at this time the Germans had scuttled their fleet on 21st June 1919, they were supposed to be surrendering their fleet but had other idea whilst the negotiations went on at the Versailles conference.
He would have been on board the Revenge at that time when Vice Admiral Sydney Fremantle, who was on Revenge as the Flagship to the 1st Battle Squadron, brought on board the German Commander Rear Admiral Ludwig von Reuter, where he accused him of violating the terms of the armistice and had him and the German Officers taken into captivity as Prisoners of War.
As a result of this Admiral Reuter was vilified in Britain, with him and the other 1,7773 Officers and men of the fleet being captured, but was revered as a hero who protected the honour of the Germany Navy back home.
3.) Victory Medal, 10633 Gnr W. Jones. R.A.
