Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 22103 - Orders, Decorations and Medals VII - e-Auction
Lot: 399

Three: 2nd Lieutenant L. Price-Jones, 9th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, late Assistant Paymaster, Royal Navy, who left the Royal Navy in 1916; joining the Welsh Regiment in time for the Battle of the Menin Road, he was killed in action on 20 September 1917

1914-15 Star (Asst. Payr. . P. Jones, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. L P. Jones.), minor contact wear and slight edge bruising, very fine (3)

Llewellyn Price-Jones was born on 18 September 1893, the son of William and Gertrue Price-Jones of 12 The Parade, Barry. Educated at Barry County School, the Cathedral School, Llandaff and finally Llandovery College he then joined the Royal Navy in 1911. Here he put his education to good use, starting as an Assistant Clerk and by 27 February 1913 serving aboard H.M.S. Suffolk.

Still with this vessel at the outbreak of war Price-Jones was doubtless aboard during her early exploits hunting for German Commerce raiders. Rising to the rank of Assistant Paymaster on 15 January 1915. Leaving Suffolk in 17 April 1916. Price-Jones' name was removed from the Naval List on 18 October 1916 for unknown reasons, possibly due to a lack of positions available for Paymasters.

Not to be counted out Price-Jones applied for a Commission in the Welsh Regiment which he received on 26 April 1917. Serving attached to the 9th Battalion he arrived at the front in time for the Battle of the Menin Road in September 1917. It was here, so soon after joining his men that Price-Jones was killed in action. Going Across by Lieutenant M. Evans, 9th Battalion Welsh Regiment takes up the story:

20th September, 1917
The attack began at 5.35 this morning. Our Battalion held up in wood by two M.G.s in pill box. Of course, I knew. When will there be an end? Major Gibbs is killed, Pryce Jones [SIC] is killed, Jukes is killed. Edwards, More, Griffiths, Jenkins, Smith are wounded. This sounds like a massacre. Our barrages beat off a counter attack. Hun guns putting over a lot of stuff. Forty prisoners passed my cage. Very few souvenirs to deprive them of. Two hundred came down Oaf Trench, they were carrying our wounded. Most of our objectives were reached. At what a price.'

A bearer reading of the facts reveals that the attack had become bogged down in heavy mud. With the Battalion unable to keep up with its covering barrage due to the conditions they came under extremely heavy machine gun fire. Though their bravery in the face of the enemy allowed them to take their objectives it was only at a high cost. Price-Jones is commemorated upon the Tyne Cot Memorial; sold together with copied research including an original photograph of H.M.S. King Edward III along with naval and army service records and census data along with typed research and an extract from Going Across by M. Evans.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£180

Starting price
£100