JONES Hilda Lilian

Daughter of Louisa Jones, of “Fairlight,” 13, Valencia Rd., West Worthing, Sussex. Born at New Southgate, London.

Hilda Lilian Jones was born on the 20th February 1886 at New Southgate in London, the 4th child and 3rd daughter of Ambrose and Louisa (nee Appleton) Jones. Three more sons were born over the next 9 years. Ambrose was a jeweller with sufficient income to support his family and employ a domestic servant.

Educated at Barnett Grammar School, in 1910 Hilda commenced nurse training at Kensington Infirmary in Marlow Road, West London. Qualifying as a trained nurse in 1915 and holding the position of Ward Sister and Pupil Midwife, she resigned from the hospital in 1915 and enrolled as a nurse with Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve on the 31st May 1915. Posted overseas to Malta, Hilda served in a number of hospitals on the island from 25th June 1915, initially as a Staff Nurse until the 20th September 1916 when she attained the rank of Sister.

In mid-September Hilda fell ill with what was initially diagnosed as debility – by the 2nd October she was suffering from paratyphoid B resulting in her being invalided home to England with sick leave granted from 26th November 1917 to 25th December 1917. Several medical boards were held to review her health resulting in Hilda being declared permanently unfit for military service and struck off strength for Malta.

However, she was passed fit for general service by a medical board held on the 2nd January 1918 and was then posted to Devonport Military Hospital on the 25th January 1918. Here she resumed working as a Sister until the 1st August 1918 when she applied to join Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service. Accepted as a Staff Nurse by the service on the 11th Oct 1918, Hilda sadly contracted influenza leading to pneumonia. She died at Devonport Military Hospital on the 28th October 1918 and was buried in Ford Park Cemetery, Plymouth, Devon.

By the time of her death, Hilda’s parents had separated, her father emigrating to New South Wales, Australia and her mother remaining in London.

The following information has been researched by and is courtesy of Stephen Brooks:
Her brother – JONES, Private Clifford George Ambrose, Service No 4184. 47th Battalion Australian Infantry. Killed in action 5th April, 1918 age 33. Son of Ambrose and Louisa Jones, of Newstead, Nether St., Finchley, London, England. Native of New Southgate, London. Buried in Adelaide Cemetery, Villers-Bretonneux, France, Grave III. A. 5.
Clifford Jones was an Englishman who came to Australia with his father and at least three brothers probably around 1910. He was the son of Ambrose and Louise Jones, of London, England. His father Ambrose was in Australia, he had been a jeweller in England and he had left his wife there. He and his sons were running a dairy farm near Burringbar, New South Wales.

Clifford enlisted in the during September 1915 and was transferred to the 47th Battalion in Egypt during early 1916. He survived the Battle of Pozieres and was wounded in the left arm during the Battle of Messines in June 1917. He was evacuated to England to recover for several months.
He took part in the gallant defence of Dernancourt by the 47th Battalion, which was decimated by the onslaught of nearly three German divisions over a week from 28 March 1918. He was reported as wounded and missing in action on 5 April 1918. A court of enquiry confirmed him as ‘killed in action’ six months later.
Clifford’s remains were found after the war and he was buried in Adelaide Cemetery, Villers-Bretonneux, France, during October 1924.
He gave his next of kin as his mother, Louisa Jones, in Finchley, England, and left his will to her.

Two of Clifford’s brothers served at the Anzac Landing, both were wounded at Gallipoli and returned to Australia during early 1916.

Her brother – JONES, Gunner Stuart Harold, Service No 1878A, 43rd Battery 11th Australian Field Artillery Brigade. Died of wounds 14th April, 1918 age 30. Son of Ambrose and Louisa Jones. Born at Barnet, Herts, England. Buried in Birmingham (Lodge Hill) Cemetery, United Kingdom, Grave B10. 290.
He was wounded in action 5th April 1918, the same day as his brother Clifford, and though evacuated to England, gas gangrene set in and despite his arm being amputated he died of gas gangrene 14th April 1918.

Her brother – JONES, Gunner Leslie Trevor.
Leslie Trevor Jones was a member of the 3rd Battalion and served at the Anzac Landing 25 April 1915. He was wounded in action at during that first week, shot in the abdomen. He was immediately taken to Egypt and diagnosed with internal injuries. He was evacuated to England. He was returned to Australia because of his wounds during March 1916. He was discharged in Sydney a few months later and granted a pension of three pounds per fortnight.
Leslie enlisted again in February 1918, in the 6th Field Artillery and was given the regimental number 63835. He left Australia in June 1918 but probably did not see action again. He was returned to Australia during July 1919.

Her brother – JONES, Private Norman Lyndon Cyril, Service No 909, 15th Battalion Australian Imperial Force, an original member of F Company, enlisted 21st September 1914, served at the Anzac Landing 25th April 1915. Wounded in action Gallipoli 27th August 1915, gunshot wounds to arm and hand, evacuated to England, returned to Australia, bomb wounds to hands, on 11th March 1916.