Thomas Jones

Thomas Jones

Personal Details

Thomas Ivan Jones was born in Rensselaer, New York, United States of America on 6th October 1890, the son of Thomas and Minnie H Jones who were living in Shrewsbury in 1901.

Husband to Keziah Jones (nee Ince) (married in 1915 in London) and father of Edith K (baptised in St Oswald’s Church, Malpas on 22 December 1918) and George I (baptised in St Oswald’s Church, Malpas on 6 November 1916).

Thomas enlisted in the Royal Navy on 6 October 1908 and served on many ships. He was taken ill on the Hecla and died from pneumonia in the Royal Naval Hospital Edinburgh.

His wife was born in Malpas, Cheshire and baptised in St Oswald’s Church; their two children’s births were registered in Whitchurch, Shropshire. This is the link to the Malpas memorial, and we can only assume that Keziah continued to live in Malpas after they married, possibly with her parents, and that Thomas continued to serve in the Navy.

Military Details

Regiment : HM Torpedo Boat No. 36, Hecla, Royal Navy
Rank : Able Seaman
Service Number : 237257 (CH)

Died of illness; United Kingdom 13 April 1919 Aged 28

Medals and Awards
Thomas was awarded the Campaign Medals (1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Allied Victory Medal).

Campaign Medals


Great War History Hub Whitchurch Shropshire Medals Front Image

The 1914 Star (also known as 'Pip') was authorised under Special Army Order no. 350 in November 1917 and by an Admiralty Fleet Order in 1918, for award to officers and men of the British and Indian Expeditionary Forces who served in France or Belgium between 5 August and midnight of 22–23 November 1914. The former date is the day after Britain's declaration of war against the Central Powers, and the closing date marks the end of the First Battle of Ypres.

The 1914–15 Star (also known as 'Pip') was instituted in December 1918 and was awarded to officers and men of British and Imperial forces who served against the Central European Powers in any theatre of the Great War between 5 August 1914 and 31 December 1915. The period of eligibility was prior to the introduction of the Military Service Act 1916, which instituted conscription in Britain.

The British War Medal (also known as 'Squeak') was a silver or bronze medal awarded to officers and men of the British and Imperial Forces who either entered a theatre of war or entered service overseas between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918 inclusive. This was later extended to services in Russia, Siberia and some other areas in 1919 and 1920. Approximately 6.5 million British War Medals were issued. Approximately 6.4 million of these were the silver versions of this medal. Around 110,000 of a bronze version were issued mainly to Chinese, Maltese and Indian Labour Corps. The front (obv or obverse) of the medal depicts the head of George V. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.

The Allied Victory Medal (also known as 'Wilfred') was issued by each of the allies. It was decided that each of the allies should each issue their own bronze victory medal with a similar design, similar equivalent wording and identical ribbon. The British medal was designed by W. McMillan. The front depicts a winged classical figure representing victory. Approximately 5.7 million victory medals were issued. Interestingly, eligibility for this medal was more restrictive and not everyone who received the British War Medal ('Squeak') also received the Victory Medal ('Wilfred'). However, in general, all recipients of 'Wilfred' also received 'Squeak' and all recipients of The 1914 Star or The 1914/1915 Star (also known as 'Pip') also received both 'Squeak' and 'Wilfred'. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.



Further Information

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Information provided by Whitchurch Museum and Archives


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