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Son of John Confrey JONES and Margaret nee MULCHAY

On completing his seminary studies at St Patrick’s, Manly, he was ordained priest for Rockhampton diocese in November 1910.

As a priest of Rockhampton diocese, he served in the following places: assistant priest, Charters Towers (1911), Winton (there May 1913-1915), army chaplain, World War I, parish priest, Barcaldine (1919-1923), Longreach & Barcaldine (1924-1932), Yeppoon (1933-1935).

During World War I he was a Chaplain in the A.I.F. 9th Div., serving in the Middle East, England and France. He was discharged on 4 Sept.1919 and made an honorary chaplain in 1920.

On 21 June 1924, the foundation stone was laid to St Joseph’s Parish School, Longreach; a two-storied building constructed under his supervision and opened on 1 Feb.1925. Subsequently, he resigned from Longreach in 1932, when his health failed.

He died of a heart attack on the steps of Yeppoon presbytery, aged 63, on 29 September 1935 and was buried in Rockhampton’s Dawson Rd. Cemetery at the conclusion of Requiem Mass.

REV. FATHER H. W. JONES

The death occurred suddenly at the Catholic presbytery, Yeppoon, on Sunday last of Rev. Father H. W.Jones.

Shortly before 5 a.m. that morning a parishioner, on his way to Mass,f ound the priest's body lying at the foot of the front steps of the presbytery and the indications were that suffering a heart attack to which he was subject. Father Jones left his bed to go out into the open air and collapsed on the verandah, falling down the steps.

The remains were brought to Rockhampton and conveyed to the Rockhampton cemetery for interment on Monday morning. In addition to a large number of the clergy, members of the Hibernian Society and the R.S.S.I.L.A. were present.

The Rev. Father Jones was born in Rockhampton in 1872. He joined the staff of Walter Reid & Co. Ltd. when15 years of age and remained with that firm for 17 years, when he commenced to study for the priesthood, and was ordained in 1910. He served in many parts! of the diocese, including Barcaldine and Longreach, being parish priest at Longreach for six years from 1923 to 1929, and for the past five years has been parish priest at Yeppoon. In 1915 Father Jones enlisted with the A.I.F. as chaplain, and, with the troops in France, he gained the respect and admiration of all. He was badly gassed and as a result his health became seriously undermined.

The Rev. Father Jones endeared himself by his unassuming manner to people of all religious thought, which was testified by feeling, reference being made to his death at St. James Church of England, Yeppoon, by the Rector, Rev. J. C. C. Thomson, who asked his congregation to offer prayers, for the repose of his soul.

The usual Sunday Masses at Yeppoon were cancelled, but two services were held during the day. one at 7 p.m. conducted by His Lordship, Dr.R. D. Hayes, Bishop of Rockhampton, at which there was a large congregatlon, including many non-Catholics. , Solemn Office and ; Requiem Mass were celebrated at St. Joseph's Cathedral, Rockhampton, on Monday morning, prior to the funeral.

Rev Father Jones is survived by two sisters in Brisbane and two brothers, . Mr. J. J. Jones, secretary ofthe Rockhampton Harbour Boardand Mr. .C. Jones of Atherton Tableland.

The Longreach Leader Saturday 05 October 1935 page 13