William Jones introduction
- 49604 Pte. William Jones
- 5th Battalion South Wales Borderers
- Killed in action on the 30th May 1918, age 19
- He lies in Chambrecy Military Cemetary, nr. Reims, France
Pte William Edward Jones
William was born in Eardisland and prior to beginning military service, lived with his parents, John Monnington Jones & Sarah Jane Brookes at ‘The Green’, Upper Barewood, Pembridge. He had an older brother (Bertram) and younger sister (Mary Elizabeth). William was a general farm worker, working in Eardisland, much like his father. Initially exempt from military service, as 'a person engaged upon the land' he was finally called up and 'took his shilling' (enlisted) in Hereford, in 1917. As a member of a pioneer battalion, his daily duties would have included trench repair, road repair, barbed wire laying, etc. These battalions were in direct support of regular infantry units and he would have been deployed close to the front line during the German Spring Offensive in 1918, as the enemy advanced to the river Aisne. In May 1918 the battalion were moving towards Chambrecy. On the afternoon of the 30th it came under intensive enfilade machine gun fire. William was reported as killed in action on this day.