Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Robert John JONES

Distinguished Conduct Medal

Recommendation:-  

‘At about 8am on 25th July after the remainder of his gun crew were put out of action, he alone took his gun into position in a shell crater in front of our trench. In this position he commanded and enfiladed a German communication trench along which the enemy attacked with bombs. Our bombers with assistance drove the enemy back about 50 yards when our men ran out of bombs and retired to replenish. In the meantime Jones kept the Germans at bay until return of our bombers. Jones then ran short of ammunition, returned to the trench collected more magazines returned to his gun and remained in action till the trench was captured by us. Jones did considerable damage to the enemy in the sap. And in the open and at the same time protected his own line. He was continuously under heavy shell fire and was alone in the crater.’

Prior to June 1915 the age range to join the AIF had been 19 - 38 years. When Robert (Bob) Jones fronted to enlist at the Bendigo Town Hall in June 1915 he stated he was 18 and eleven months. His attestation papers were cancelled and he returned a week later to enlist on July 1, 1915, this time his age was 21 and two months and he was accepted into the AIF. [1]

The first news of Bob’s progress at war was reported in the local newspaper in September 1916 under the heading Wounded Soldiers: -

‘Mr. John Jones of 258 King-street, has been advised by the Defence department that his son Private R. J. Jones, who is with the machine gun section in France, has been wounded. Private Jones enlisted in July, 1915, and left with reinforcements in September. He saw service in Gallipoli and was at the evacuation. He went to France from Egypt. For some time he was employed at Horwood's foundry. Private Jones was an active worker in the Salvation Army and played the euphonium in the army band’.[2]

Three weeks later in mid October, The Bendigonian newspaper proudly published the following: - DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL - ANOTHER BENDIGO WINNER.

'Some little time ago in a letter to his father, Mr. J. Jones, of King-street, Bendigo, Private Robert John Jones, of the 7th Battalion, mentioned that he had been recommended, for the Distinguished Conduct Medal, but with true modesty, asked his father not to say anything about it until it was officially announced. The official announcement duly appeared in Monday's papers. Only the brief official particulars are at present available concerning the feat for which the medal was awarded. In keeping with his request to his father, Private Jones made no mention in his letter of the work which had earned for him the medal. The official account, which is brief, says that after his gun team had been all killed or wounded, he took the gun alone, and, advancing to a shell hole, remained in action, working it under a heavy and continuous shell fire. Only a few days back Private Jones was reported Wounded, the wounds no doubt having been received whilst in the performance of the above valorous duty.' [3]

In late 1917, Bob Jones would be evacuated from the front line to England with severe ‘Trench Fever’ later known as Shell Shock.  His condition did not improve and he was discharged from service and permitted to return to Australia. 

The Bendigoian Newspaper reported his Welcome home in July 1918. ‘There was a large gathering at the Bendigo Salvation Army Hall yesterday week, when an enthusiastic welcome home was tendered to Private R. (Bob) Jones, D.C.M., one of Bendigo's original Anzacs. Brigadier Veal presided, and extended to the returned soldier a hearty welcome home. In an interesting speech, Private Jones returned thanks for the addresses of welcome. Subsequently the returned Anzac was installed as bandmaster of the corps. A song was nicely rendered by Brigadier Veal. Private Jones, who is the son of Mr. J. Jones, of King-street, saw service at Egypt, Gallipoli and France, and has the distinction of being the first Bendigonian to receive the D.C.M.' [4]

Bob Jones would return to Bendigo and recover from his war experience. He would re-enlist in the Australian Military Force for World War Two in June 1940 at Wangaratta at the age of 39. He would serve in the Middle East & Greece and be promoted to Sergeant. He would return to Australia in 1943 for discharge. 

Photo: Studio portrait of 2914 Private (Pte) Robert John Jones, 9th Reinforcements, 7th Battalion, of Bendigo, Vic. Pte Jones enlisted on 1 July 1915 and embarked from Melbourne aboard HMAT Star of Victoria on 10 September 1915. He returned to Australia on 21 December 1917.

SERVICE DETAILS:

Regimental No. 2914

Born: Bendigo July 4, 1900

Religion: Protestant Salvation Army

Occupation: Iron moulder

Address: 258 King Street, Bendigo

Marital status: Single

Age at enlistment: 18

Next of kin: Father, J Jones, 258 King St later 89 Wills Street, Bendigo

Enlistment date: 1 July 1915

Unit name: 7th Battalion, 9th Reinforcement

Embarked: HMAT A16 Star Of Victoria on 10 September 1915

Final Rank: Private

Source - Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 14 December 1916 on page 3384 at position 3

Pozieres- The Battle of Pozieres was the toughest task faced by the AIF in the First World War. The remains of thousands of Australians killed in the fighting were never found and still lie beneath the fields in this tiny corner of France.

[1] Discovering Anzacs, NAA page 21 and 13 of Robert J Jones service record. https://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/records/470599/21
[2] Bendigo Advertiser (Vic. : 1855 - 1918)  Mon 18 Sep 1916  Page 5 WOUNDED SOLDIERS- PRIVATE ROBERT J. JONES.
[3] The Bendigonian newspaper (Bendigo, Vic. : 1914 - 1918)  Thu 12 Oct 1916  Page 31
[4] Bendigonian (Bendigo, Vic. : 1914 - 1918)  Thu 4 Jul 1918  Page 4

Robert John Jones was born in Bendigo, Victoria in 1897. He enlisted in the AIF on 1/7/15 and embarked for Europe on 10/9/15 aboard HMAT Star of Victoria. He was assigned to a Lewis Gun Crew in the 9th Reinforcements, 7th Battalion AIF

He was awarded the DCM (Distinguished Conduct Medal) for actions during the Battle of Pozieres in 1916. More information can be found here (www.awm.gov.au)

Robert Jones returned to Australia on 21 Dec 1917

On the 10/6/40 Robert re-enlisted at Caulfield, Victoria and was discharged on on 11/4/43. He was assigned to Base Area Signals at the time of his discharge

"DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL.  ANOTHER BENDIGO WINNER.

Some little time ago in a letter to his father, Mr. J. Jones, of King-street, Bendigo, Private Rtobert John Jones, of the 7th Battalion, mentioned that he had been recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal, but with true modesty, asked his father not to say anything about it until it was officially announced. The official announcement duly appeared in Monday's papers. Only the brief official particulars are at present available concerning the feat for which the medal was awarded. In keeping with his request to his father, Private Jones made no mention in his letter of the work which had earned for him the medal. The official account, which is brief, says that after his gun team had been all killed or wounded, he took the gun alone, and, advancing to a shell hole, remained in action, working it under a heavy and continuous shell fire. Only a few days back Private Jones was reported wounded, the wounds no doubt having been received whilst in the performance of the above valorous duty." - from the Bendigonian 12 Oct 1916 (nla.gov.au)