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Auction: 19003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 350

A Great War M.M. group of three awarded to Lance-Corporal M. W. Jones, Rifle Brigade, who likely shared in the costly action at Inverness Copse in August 1917 and later went 'in the bag' during the withdrawal from the Canal de Saint-Quentin; released at the cessation of hostilities, his proud record of service was damaged in the 1930's when found guilty of corruption and imprisoned whilst with the Metropolitan Police

Military Medal, G.V.R. (S-30915 L.Cpl. M. W. Jones. 9/Rif: Bde:); British War and Victory Medals (S-30915 Cpl. M. W. Jones. Rif. Brig.), very fine and better (3)

M.M. London Gazette 2 November 1917.

Malcolm Watts Jones was born on 26 June 1891 at Wordsley, Stourbridge, in the West Midlands. He served in France with the 9th Battalion, Rifle Brigade, and was likely present on the morning on 23 August 1917 when the Battalion relieved the 8th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps, in the line adjacent to Dickebusch:

'The relief was not really completed before the enemy made a counter-attack about dawn which accounted for a good deal of intermingling of the two Battalions. Three times during the morning the troops in front were driven out of Inverness Copse. A conference was held between C.O.'s and it was decided that with the troops at hand, who had suffered heavy casualties, it was impossible to turn the enemy out of his trench. The Battalion was relieved at 3.30 a.m., 25 August, and proceeded to the Ecole in Ypres, and later, to Wippenhoek' (The Rifle Brigade Chronicle, refers).

Having survived this encounter, Jones faced a similar German onslaught during the Spring Offensive of 1918. Following a relatively quiet tour of trench duty at Montescourt, the Battalion transferred to Flave le Martel. On 23 March they moved once again to Jussy and it was here that they faced a significant enemy attack, the Battalion left flank being 'found to be in the air as it retired to Cugny'. Casualties were extensive; the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel The Hon. Alfred Aubrey Tennyson, was killed in action, whilst 285 other ranks were wounded and missing.

Initially believed killed in action, Jones was later confirmed unwounded and held as a prisoner of war at Friedrichsfeld Camp, approximately 60 miles north of Cologne. The camp had a reputation as one of the 'better' P.O.W. camps in Germany, and the 35,000 men held even had space for physical activity and the growing of vegetables.

Released and repatriated at the cessation of hostilities, Jones joined the Metropolitan Police, married and set about raising a family. However, in October 1931, he was summoned at Marylebone Police Court under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1906, under allegations of attempting to corrupt a younger officer to accept bribes in the context of street betting. According to the Yorkshire Post & Leeds Intelligencer, 21 October 1931, Jones told Sergeant Hogg of "F" Division:

'You are a man of the world. If you care to fall into line, and do as I tell you, you will not only be able to have a return on your charges, but a return to yourself at the end of the week.'

On 18 September 1931, Hogg and Reid were standing at a street corner when a police patrol car driven by Jones pulled up. Jones said to Hogg:

'Do as I tell you. If you don't work for these people it is only a waste of time, and you will only run your legs off and get nothing. I am still willing to help you.'

Defending counsel stated that Jones was due to retire on a pension of £170 a year in six months' time. He had three children at this time. In passing sentence, the Recorder said that Jones had been found guilty after a long, patient and careful trial. He was delighted to know that the jury agreed that there was not one word of truth in the allegations that Jones had instructed his counsel to make against Sergeant Hogg. That officer had 'done a great deal in raising the character and estimation of the police' (The Scotsman, 4 February 1932, refers).

Jones was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment, the Recorder passing note that he was a 'discredit' to the force who had endeavoured to corrupt a 'decent' young officer; sold with copied research.


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Sold for
£800

Starting price
£280