JONES Joseph

Joseph Jones was a pre-war regular soldier in the Worcesters who had been discharged after 10 years service in August 1913. In 1914 he was publican at the Mitre Hotel in Upper High Street, Lye. He volunteered on the outbreak of war for the Royal Artillery and served in the 14th Heavy Battery of the Royal Garrison Artillery which went to the Western Front in May 1915. It was involved in the 1916 Battle of the Somme but with light casualties. Its next serious operation was the Battle of Arras starting on the 9th April 1917. During the later stages of the battle a German counter-attack took place while the Battery held an advanced position on the road to Cambrai. There were heavy casualties and Gunner Joseph Jones suffered gun-shot wounds to the head. He was taken to the military hospital at Etaples where he died on the 26th April. He was 36 years of age and left a widow and four young children.

The following information has been researched by Sandra Taylor:
The marriage of Benjamin Jones to Alice Thomas Brooks is registered in the March Quarter 1874 under the Stourbridge Registration District. The birth of Joseph Jones is registered in the September Quarter 1876 under the Stourbridge Registration District. Married Edith M. Lane in the September Quarter 1913 within the Stourbridge Registration District.

1891 Census
Union St., Lye
Benjamin Jones, head, age 41, chain maker, born Oldswinford, Worcestershire
Alice Jones, wife, 39, nails, born Church Bridge, Worcestershire
Francis Jones, son, age 15, chain striker, born Lye, Worcestershire
William Jones, son, age 14, apprentice, born Lye, Worcestershire
Ben Jones, son, age 12, scholar, born Lye, Worcestershire
Joseph Jones, son, age 10, scholar, born Lye, Worcestershire
Matilda Jones, daughter, age 8, scholar, born Lye, Worcestershire
Ellen Jones, daughter, age 3, scholar, born Lye, Worcestershire
Alice Jones, daughter, age 1, born Lye, Worcestershire

1901 Census
Union St., Lye
Benjamin Jones, head, age 51, chain maker, born Stourbridge, Worcestershire
Alice Jones, wife, 49, nails, born Church Bridge, Staffordshire
Frank Jones, son, age 25, chain striker, born Lye, Worcestershire
William Jones, son, age 24, iron plate worker, born Lye, Worcestershire
Joseph Jones, son, age 20, Tinner, born Lye, Worcestershire
Matilda Jones, daughter, age 18, tinner, born Lye, Worcestershire
Nelly Jones, daughter, age 14, trunk maker, born Lye, Worcestershire
Alice Jones, daughter, age 11, born Lye, Worcestershire
Phoebe Jones, daughter, age 9, born Lye, Worcestershire

1911 Census
Jhansi, India
Joseph Jones, Private, age 26 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment, born Lye, Worcestershire