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Auction: 23113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 573

A Great War M.C. group of nine awarded to Captain O. B. Jones, General Service Corps (South African Forces), late Transvaal Scottish, Natal Carbineers and Dorsetshire Regiment, who won his decoration whilst attached to the Trench Mortar Battery at Langemarck in August 1917

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued, in its case of issue and outer box; 1914-15 Star (Pte. O. B. Jones. 2nd M.R.); British War Medal 1914-20 (Lieut. O. B. Jones.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; War and Africa Service Medal 1939-45, these last four all officially impressed '279191 O. B. Jones.'; Coronation 1935, with its box of issue; Efficiency Decoration, G.VI.R., Union of South Africa (Capt. O. B. Jones. G.S.C.), very fine (9)

M.C. London Gazette 18 October 1917:

'[In the operations on the Steenbeek near Langemarck on 16 August 1917]

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. By his steadiness under fire and energetic handling of his men he got his guns forward in a position where he was able to fire on and silence a machine-gun.

When his N.C.O. was killed he himself fired the mortar under heavy fire from machine-guns and snipers, and when all the T.M. ammunition was expended by example and organisation, he got his men to use their rifles to assist in keeping down the
snipers who were holding up the infantry.

He showed great coolness throughout, continually returning under fire to help forward those of his men who could not get on owing to the bad ground and their heavy gun loads.'

Otto Barlow Jones was born at Ladysmith on 13 March 1892 and was educated at Pietermaritzburg College. A book keeper by trade, he joined the Transvaal Scottish in 1914 and thence the 2nd Mounted Rifles (Natal Carbineers) in August 1914. Serving with his unit - who were armed with Maxim guns - in German South-West Africa, he was admitted to Luderitzbucht Hospital in March 1915 with haemorrhoids. Jones was thence commissioned into the Imperial Forces, being made a 2nd Lieutenant into the 3rd Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment in December 1915. He joined his Regiment on the Western Front and was promoted Lieutenant in July 1916. It was whilst attached to the 34th Light Trench Mortar Battery that his fine M.C. was won in the actions around Langemarck in August 1917. A brief posting to the 51st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment in August 1918 followed before being returned home at War's end.

Jones took his turn as hotelier of the Crown Hotel in Ladysmith, a place in the family ownership, being confirmed into the Reserve of Officers (Union Defence Forces) in September 1922. Serving as Adjutant of the 2nd Mounted Rifles from October 1922-August 1927, after which he joined the Supernumerary List. With the outbreak of the Second World War, it was no surprise Jones returned to the fold and was made Captain upon joining in January 1941. He served in East Africa from February 1941 and was admitted to 5 Casualty Clearing Station at Nairobi in April 1941. Returned to South Africa, he saw various postings with the 6th Battalion, Native Military Corps, Zonderwater and as Admin & Welfare Officer attached 41 Air School, East London. Having been awarded his Efficiency Decoration in January 1945, Jones was reported sick and required an operation on a carcinoma that was found in his colon, upon which evidence of an old bilharzial infection (contracted whilst on Active Service) was located. He was confirmed as 100% disabled by Medical Board in May 1945 and retired Captain on medical grounds. Jones died on 8 October 1946 and is buried in Ladysmith; sold together with his original Commissioning Warrant, old copy of his M.C. citation, Coronation Certificate, letter forwarding his Second War campaign awards and newspaper cuttings.

For his miniature dress Medals, please see Lot 712.

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Sold for
£800

Starting price
£700