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Auction: 18003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 490

A poignant Great War pair awarded to Private A. Jones, Royal Army Medical Corps, who died on his way to hospital following a rockfall which resulted in a fractured pelvis

British War and Victory Medals (69617 Pte. A. Jones. R.A.M.C.), together with the recipient's Memorial Plaque (Arthur Jones), nearly extremely fine (3)

Arthur Jones was born at Manchester in 1889 and spent his childhood at Ffestiniog, Wales. On leaving school, he became a junior reporter for the Herald newspaper at Caernarfou, followed three years later by a staff post at the Halifax Courier.

With the outbreak of war, Arthur twice attempted to enlist into the army and was twice declined having failed medical tests. Under the belief that these failures were due to his varicose veins, he paid to have an operation and thus deal with the concerns of the medical professionals but, attempting to enlist for a third time, he was turned down once again; recognising that the official channels were perhaps not the most obliging route to 'do his bit' for the war, he was accepted into the R.A.M.C. through an alternative channel.

On 2 June 1916, Arthur travelled from Southampton to Le Havre and began serving with 136 Field Ambulance. His early tasks involved converting huts into dressing stations and treating the sick and wounded of the 120th Infantry Brigade. As the battle of the Somme raged, Arthur proceeded to La Beuvriere and worked at the 1st Corps rest station, until relieved on 12 October, and transferred to Braquemont. Here the British had constructed an underground aid station known as 'Chalk Pit' dugout, which contained one N.C.O. and 11 men of the R.A.M.C., and which offered sanctuary for 18 'lying down' cases travelling between St. Georges and Philosophe.

It seems likely that Arthur was caught by a rockfall within or near to this Aid Post around 17 December 1916. According to The Runner of 6 January 1917, which contains Arthur's obituary, the Minister from his home village believed Arthur achieved and fulfilled the work that the Lord gave him to carry out, during his short life; "I admire him more than ever," he stated, "and I'm pleased to think and truly believe very strongly that Arthur and all the other local lads are in Heaven wearing their crowns".

Sold with a comprehensive file detailing Arthur's life, including correspondence between the C.W.G.C. and a previous custodian of the medals, discussing the addition of an inscription to his headstone which was desired by his uncle, but which hadn't taken place by 1991. The headstone was additionally inscribed "Bydd melus gofio am dano" ('Tis sweet to remember him), much to the joy of the collector; original envelope of transmission for the medals and conferring letter; together with correspondence from the Director of Graves Registration and Enquiries.


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Sold for
£130