Richard's Story.
Birkenhead News 30 September 1916One of the First Contingent
Birkenhead Grenadier Guard Killed.
Mr. And Mrs. Jones, of 258, Borough Road, have received official intimation that their son, Private Richard Jones, was killed in action on September 12th.
Private Jones was in the R.E. (Birkenhead Territorials), but in September, 1913, he enlisted in the Grenadier Guards, and was with that famous regiment when he was killed. He went out with the first contingent after war broke out, and was in the retreat from Mons, the battle of the Aisne, the battle of the Marne, the battle of Soisson’s Wood, and the first battle of Ypres. At the last named engagement, he received a flesh wound, but continued fighting until he was wounded in the knee by shrapnel, which necessitated him being sent to England. He obtained sick leave, and was able to spend Christmas 1914 at his home. Later, he was in a London hospital with pneumonia until November, 1915, when he rejoined his regiment at the front. It was in the battle of the Somme that he was killed.
Private A Blyth, of the same regiment as the deceased, writing to Mr. Jones, says : “He met his death whilst directing us during heavy firing. Everybody in the platoon that knew him misses him very much, and send their deepest sympathy to you in your trouble.”
Private Jones, who was 22 years of age, was educated at Mersey Park School, and attended Stuart Road Mission and Sunday School, at which Rifleman Procter V.C., was a teacher. On leaving school he was apprenticed to upholstering at Messrs. Gamlin’s.
It was not established the exact date of Richard Jones’ death. Military records state between the 10th and 12th September 1916.
Richard Jones’ photograph and newspaper article by Chris Booth.