S20125
JONES, Harrold Edgar
| Service Numbers: | 2187, 2187A |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 48th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Kangarilla, South Australia, Australia, 6 July 1897 |
| Home Town: | Kangarilla, Onkaparinga, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Woodville West, South Australia, 20 May 1987, aged 89 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Centennial Park Cemetery, South Australia General AF, Path 29, Grave 800A |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 12 Aug 1916: | Involvement Private, 2187, 48th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '19' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Ballarat embarkation_ship_number: A70 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Aug 1916: | Embarked Private, 2187, 48th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ballarat, Adelaide | |
| 11 Nov 1918: | Involvement Corporal, 2187A | |
| Date unknown: | Honoured Distinguished Conduct Medal | |
| Date unknown: | Honoured Military Medal | |
| Date unknown: | Wounded 2187, 48th Infantry Battalion |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Trevor Pyatt
Harold Edgar Jones – Biography
Early Life
Harold Edgar Jones was born on 6 July 1897 at Kangarilla, South Australia, to Thomas Jones and Mary Agnes Magdelena Smidth. Raised in the rural communities of Kangarilla and Dashwood Gully, he grew up with the values of hard work and service.
World War I Service
Harold enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 13 May 1916, aged 18, as a labourer. He was assigned regimental number 2187 and posted to the 48th Battalion, 4th Reinforcements, embarking from Adelaide on 12 August 1916 aboard HMAT Ballarat.
Serving on the Western Front, he rose to Corporal and became known for his courage. He was awarded the Military Medal (M.M.) and later the Distinguished Conduct Medal (D.C.M.) for his actions at Le-Verquier on 18 September 1918:
“For marked gallantry and initiative during the advance near Le Verquier… After the capture of the objective… he immediately organised his section and attacked it, capturing two machine guns and twenty of the enemy. By his fine action he prevented a large number of casualties and assisted his company commander in pushing forward fighting patrols and an outpost line.”
His WWI medals: Distinguished Conduct Medal, Military Medal, British War Medal, and Victory Medal. He returned to Australia on 8 August 1919.
Between the Wars
After returning, Harold married Margaret Mackay. They had five children: Edgar Thomas (1920), Margaret Thelma (1921), Ethel Mary (1924), Leslie (1926), and Kenneth Roy (1928).
World War II Service
Harold re-enlisted during WWII as S222, serving as a Sergeant with the 3 Infantry Training Battalion. In 1943, Bonegilla Small Arms School noted him as:
“Quiet but solid type… An earnest worker… Set a good example for younger members of his squad.”
In 1953, he applied for his WWII medals and enquired about a French ribbon from WWI, believed to be the Médaille Militaire, though no official record was found.
Later Life and Death
Harold lived in South Australia, later residing at Allora Nursing Home, Woodville West. He died on 20 May 1987, aged 89, and is commemorated at the South Australian Garden of Remembrance.
Timeline of Key Events
6 Jul 1897 – Born, Kangarilla, SA
13 May 1916 – Enlisted in A.I.F.
12 Aug 1916 – Embarked from Adelaide
1918 – Awarded Military Medal
18 Sep 1918 – Awarded Distinguished Conduct Medal
8 Aug 1919 – Returned to Australia
1920–1928 – Children born
WWII – Sergeant, 3 I.T.B.
25 Mar 1953 – WWII medals request
20 May 1987 – Died, aged 89
Appendix – Quoted extracts from the records (verbatim)
8 May 1916 – Recruiting Depot approval:
“With reference to your application for enlistment in the A.I.F.… approved of, and you can therefore report at this Depot at your earliest convenience.”
13 January 1919 – Base Records to Mrs M. A. Jones:
“At the request of your son, No. 2187 Lance Corporal H. E. Jones, M.M.… transmitting… the Military Medal… I trust he will be spared to wear it for many long days to come.”
24 July 1919 – Base Records to Mrs M. A. Jones:
“AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL… No. 2187 Corporal H. E. JONES, M.M.”
27 February 1920 – Base Records (London Gazette citation):
“For marked gallantry and initiative during the advance near Le Verquier… capturing two machine guns and twenty of the enemy… prevented a large number of casualties…”
18 January 1919 – Receipt to Mrs M. A. Jones:
“No. 2187 Lance Corporal H. E. Jones, M.M.… 1 Military Medal.”
26 July 1919 – Receipt to Mrs M. A. Jones:
“No. 2187, Cpl. H. E. JONES, M.M., D.C.M.… 1 Distinguished Conduct Medal.”
25 March 1953 – H. E. Jones to G.O.C.:
“I… do hereby make application… for any medals due… I would also appreciate… reference of a French ribbon… believed… (Medal Militaire)… My reason… there was another H.E. Jones… of the 45th Battalion A.I.F.”
17 Nov 1943 – Will receipt card:
“Received from Records Office A.A. Form A.131 purporting to contain Will of: S 222. Name Jones H.E.”
Confidential Report – Small Arms School, Bonegilla:
“Instructor Small Arms under careful supervision… Quiet but solid type… Set a good example… Handicapped by a hand disability… Not suitable to instruct at a Formation School.”
Note on faint letter (10 Apr 1953):
No record held of a foreign decoration for his WWI service.
Biography by Trevor Pyatt 9/08/2025
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