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Auction: 22001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 272

A pair of groups to brothers both tragically killed in the last years of the war with handwritten testimonials by witnesses to their deaths

Three: Private E. Jones, 'A' Company, 1st Battalion, The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment), who was killed in action by a sniper's bullet during an attack on 21 September 1918

British War and Victory Medals (G-13426 Pte. E. Jones. The Queen's R.); Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque (Ernest Jones), edge bruise, very fine (3)

Three: Private E. Jones, 2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment, who was killed in action on 4 March 1817

British War and Victory Medals (9372 Pte. E. Jones. North'n. R.); Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque (Edwin Jones), slight edge bruise, very fine (3)

Ernest Jones was born at Shingle Street, Suffolk in 1892, the son of Edwin and Sarah Jones, of 8 Coastguard Cottage, Westgate-on-Sea, Kent, his father served a member of the coastguard until his death. Prior to enlistment worked in a boot factory as a leatherworker however on the outbreak of the Great War he attested with 8th Battalion, The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) at Wellingborough. Transferring to 1st Battalion he entered the war in France and was present with them in the line around Manancourt on 20 September. The Brigade received the news that they were going on the offensive on 21 September with intermittent shelling from either side carrying on into the night. The attack, once commenced, was held up by machine gun and sniper fire across the whole front, the after action report particularly emphasising the effectiveness of the latter. A letter from one Corporal Cullen of 'A' Company to Jones's mother details his fate during the advance, stating:

'Your son, no 13426 of the 1st Queens was killed in action on the 21.9.18 by a sniper's bullet, he fell at my side and I asked him if the was hit and he said "yes", that was all. I cannot say exactly where he was hit for I had to go forward about three yds to get a little cover from a shell hole & when I looked back, I saw that he had passed away, I am very sorry for he was a good boy & a great favourite with everyone especially his own platoon its [SIC] seem's harder still when you think what a long time he had served in France for his country.'

Jones is remembered upon the Vis-En-Artois Memorial; sold together with copied research including Commonwealth War Graves details, Census data and M.I.C. as well as medal rolls and a letter from Corporal Cullen, 'A' Company, 1st Battalion along with a photograph of the recipient.

Accept my deepest sympathy Dear Mrs Jones indeed this is a terrible war. Pte Jones on arriving in Egypt was put into my section & has been with me practically ever since. In him I have lost a good & noble soldier one who never complained, a man that could always be relied upon. It may console you Dear Mrs Jones to know that he died the Good True British Soldier that he was, fighting hard for the freedom of all our loved ones at home. He was a man beloved by all that knew him, and every one of his comrades deeply grieve the loss of such a true fallen comrade. I personally with men of my Platoon buried him and created a cross at the head of his grave

Edwin Jones was born at Woodbridge, Suffolk in 1891, the son of Edwin and Sarah Jones, of 8 Coastguard Cottage, Westgate-on-Sea, Kent. Enlisting with the Northamptonshire Regiment he was posted to 2nd Battalion and joined the war in Egypt on 6 November 1914. The Battalion saw heavy fighting throughout particularly at Neuve Chapelle, Aubers and the Somme. They were engaged during the retreat to the Hinderburg Line in 1917 and it was here on 4 March 1917 that they launched an attack upon the German lines. Jones was serving as a lewis gunner during this fighting and was praised for his steadfastness in repulsing three German counter-attacks by his Company Sergeant:

'during these operation Pte Jones done excellent work with his Lewis gun, also assisted in holding the enemy back with Grenades.'

However soon afterwards Jones was killed, shot through the head and according to his Sergeant killed instantly. His body was exhumed from its resting place after the war and reburied at Fins New British Cemetery, Sorel-Le-Grand; sold together with copied research including census data, .M.I.C. and medal rolls as well as Commonwealth War Graves details and a number of original documents most notably the recipients, memorial cards, pension documents, education certificates and Musketry small book as well as a letter detailing his death by Sergeant J. G. Southgate, 8579 'A' Company 2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment and a note relating to the original site of his grave as well as its subsequent re-location.

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Sold for
£420

Starting price
£220