JONES James

HMS Defence was launched in 1907, she sank on 31st May 1916 at the Battle of Jutland. After initial damage she was hit by a salvo which triggered explosions in her ammunition, a further salvo hit and she blew up in a spectacular explosion with the loss of 903 lives.

Two different photographs of Gunner J. Jones can be found in Berrow’s Worcester Journal Supplement, Saturday 17th June 1916 and Saturday 1st July 1916, available at Worcestershire Archives.

The following information has been researched by Geoff Hill:
1891 Census
Saunders Street, Worcester
James Jones, aged 14, labourer: born Winslow, Bromyard, Herefordshire
At the same address: John Jones, (father), builder’s labourer, mother, 2 brothers and 4 sisters.
Unable to locate James on the 1901 and 1911 Census
1911 Census
5 Pinkett Street, Barbourne
John Jones (father of James Jones), aged 65, Market Gardener
At the same address: Mary Ann, wife of John; 4 sons and 3 daughters.

Noted as Jas. Jones in the UK Naval Medal Award Rolls 1793-1972. Not identifiable on UK Naval Officer and Rating Service Records, 1802-1919. Royal Navy records show that James Jones mother, Mary, of 5 Pinkett Street, Barbourne, Worcester was notified at the time of his death.

James Jones has no known grave, the photograph available shows his name on Plymouth Naval Memorial.