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Auction: 22133 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 526

Family collection;

Three: Corporal A. B. Jones, 2nd Battalion, City of London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers), who was wounded in action at Gommecourt on the First Day of the Battle of the Somme

1914-15 Star (3402, Pte. A. B. Jones. 2-Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals (3402 Cpl. A. B. Jones. 2-Lond. R.), minor contact marks and edge bruising, very fine

The War Medal 1939-45 awarded to Sergeant I. G. Jones, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve who was killed in a flying accident on 8 July 1943

War Medal 1939-45, with card box of issue and named condolence slip, good very fine (4)

Archibald Blakemore Jones was born at Risca, Monmouthshire in June 1894. Working as a miner prior to enlisting on 6 January 1915, he joined the war in France on 19 April 1915 and was soon appointed Lance-Corporal on 4 July 1915. Promoted Corporal prior to the Somme Offensive on 17 April 1916 he was still serving with this Battalion when they moved to their starting positions on 1 July for the attack on Gommecourt.

The Battalion was serving as part of the 169th Brigade at the time, and was in reserve during the attack. Having waited on the frontline for some time 'D' Company, supported by 'A' and 'B' Companies advanced on the first line in 'Ferret Trench. They were thrown back three times in the face of heavy artillery and machine gun fire. At some stage after noon a German Medical Officer came forward with a flag of truce and a short armistice took place to allow for the collection of the wounded. This likely included Jones who was seriously wounded on the 1 July and taken to 43 Casualty Clearing Station with gunshot wounds to the arm and chest.

Transferred to 1 General Hospital on 8 July he was, due to the severity of his wounds, returned to Britain. Sent back to the Army Reserve he served there for some time but was clearly never going to be fit again. Declared unfit for duty Jones was discharged on 21 May 1917 at London; sold together with a 169th Brigade sports medal in its case of issue, named to 'Obstacle Race Winner Cpl A. B. Jones 2rd [SIC] Londons', two post war sporting badges, the recipients passport and discharge booklet as well as copied research including service papers, census data and details of the actions of 169th Brigade at Gommecourt.

Ivor Gordon Jones was the son of Archibald Blakemore Jones of Wattsville, Cross Keys. He served with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve with the rank of Sergeant as Wireless Operator/ Air Gunner. He was serving the No. 17 Officer Training Unit on 8 July 1943 when his Wellington III crashed on a training flight from Silverstone. The accident report notes that the aircraft stalled in the air, no technical fault was observed or could be determined and the entire crew was killed on impact. Jones is buried at Risca Old Cemetery (Church Ground); sold together with copied research including Commonwealth War Graves details, casualty reports and accident reports.

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Sold for
£190

Starting price
£110