JONES, Reginald Walter
| Service Number: | 80 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 4 September 1914, Previously served 3 1/2 years with 6th Australian Infantry. Enlisted with his brother Raymond Leslie Jones SN79 and slightly later than Raymond Llewellyn Jones SN141 |
| Last Rank: | Captain |
| Last Unit: | Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force |
| Born: | St Kilda, Victoria, 1 December 1891 |
| Home Town: | Essendon, Moonee Valley, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Essendon State School No 483 |
| Occupation: | Electrical Engineer |
| Died: | Melbourne, Victoria, 4 March 1969, aged 77 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Box Hill General Cemetery, Victoria |
| Memorials: | Essendon State School No 483 Roll of Honor |
World War 1 Service
| 4 Sep 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Corporal, 80, 14th Infantry Battalion, Previously served 3 1/2 years with 6th Australian Infantry. Enlisted with his brother Raymond Leslie Jones SN79 and slightly later than Raymond Llewellyn Jones SN141 | |
|---|---|---|
| 22 Dec 1914: | Involvement Corporal, 80, 14th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '11' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Ulysses embarkation_ship_number: A38 public_note: '' | |
| 22 Dec 1914: | Embarked Corporal, 80, 14th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ulysses, Melbourne | |
| 5 May 1915: | Promoted AIF WW1, Sergeant, 14th Infantry Battalion, Had for a time reverted to Pte 29-1-1915 from Corporal | |
| 11 Aug 1915: | Wounded AIF WW1, Sergeant, 80, 14th Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli, GSW left hand | |
| 1 Feb 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Company Sergeant Major, 14th Infantry Battalion | |
| 1 Mar 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Regimental Sergeant Major, 14th Infantry Battalion | |
| 12 Mar 1916: | Promoted Warrant Officer Class 2, 14th Infantry Battalion | |
| 6 Apr 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 14th Infantry Battalion | |
| 30 Jun 1916: | Wounded AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 80, 14th Infantry Battalion, GSW to neck and face while on patrol at Bois Grenier | |
| 1 Sep 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 14th Infantry Battalion | |
| 30 Mar 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Captain, 14th Infantry Battalion | |
| 19 Apr 1917: | Honoured Military Medal, ANZAC / Gallipoli, AWM/NAA has few details but noted military historian indicated it was for sniping on Gallipoli on May 25th 1915 | |
| 30 Sep 1917: | Wounded AIF WW1, Captain, 80, 14th Infantry Battalion, While examining German flare thrower at head quarters, it accidentally went off severing his right thumb and 1st finger. | |
| 20 Dec 1917: | Honoured Military Cross, Battle of Messines, At great personal risk he crossed the open under heavy machine gun fire, and reconnoited Gapaard farm (Messiens) afterwards returning to attack with bombing party. Gained 800 yard of enemy territory as a result. | |
| 2 Aug 1918: | Discharged AIF WW1, Captain, 80, 14th Infantry Battalion, Medical discharge due to wounding in September 30th 1917 badly injuring right thumb and 1st finger | |
| 11 Sep 1918: | Embarked AIF WW1, Captain, Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force, SS Morinda, Sydney | |
| 11 Sep 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Captain, Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '21' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: SS Morinda embarkation_ship_number: '' public_note: '' |
Evan Evans
Some notes to figure out the awards recommendations:
MM award for Gallipoli 25/5/1915 Australia Gazette 19/4/1917 – sniping activities according to Richard Clay
MC recommendation - Lieutenant (AWM Recommendation #3 & #4 handwritten, #5 combined and typed) on
1. Bois Grenier July 1916 he commanded the flank patrol party during a raid by his Battalion enemy trenches, was badly wounded during this raid.
2. As Battalion Intellegence officer at “THE BLUFF” (Zilebeke, Ypres) in October/November patrolled NO MAN’S LAND each night making personal reconnaisence of the enemy wire and works, an on an enemy snipers post being reported to exist, personally and alone secured NO MAN’S LAND for it.
3. At Gueudecourt December 1916, under most unfavorable conditions made a thorough and comprehensive reconnaissance of our front and NO MAN’S Land enabling the first reliable and authentic information re enemy position and works to be compiled. On one occasion in this sector when a working party was caught and temporarily demoralized by an enemy barrage this officer was instrumental in guiding them to their destination which was to have been done by an engineer office, and restored their morale.
Awarded Silver Star (for Military Valour) – no paperwork found to validate this award
MC award – Capt. for Messines 12/6/1917, Australia Gazette 20/12/1917 (AWM Recommendation #1, #2)
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. At great personal risk he crossed the open under heavy machine gun fire, and reconnoited Gapaard farm (Messiens) which consisted of a mass of concrete gun emplacements, afterwards returning and organizing a bombing party, with which he captured and consolidated the position. He also captured three enemy guns and a large quantity of ammunition. This operation resulted in an advance of 800 yards into hostile territory, and he displayed the greatest tactical skill and judgement
Submitted 16 November 2018 by Evan Evans
Biography
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