Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Norman Percy Jones (Percy) was one of a family of 13 children of Evan and Mary Ann Jones, of Finley NSW. Prior to the war Percy Jones and his brother Alfred were advertising their business together in 1913 sinking bores and erecting windmills in the area. The need around the Murray River districts for water for farming and stock was increasing and they were true pioneers at it in the area.

Percy’s youngest brother Sydney was killed at Gallipoli in June 1915, and Percy enlisted within a few weeks during July 1915. Sadly, two weeks after he left for overseas in November 1915, his father passed away in Finley. Percy survived the Pozieres battles but he was killed in action at Flers during atrocious winter conditions on 23 October 1916.

His younger brother 1769 Private Sydney Victor Jones 2nd Battalion AIF had been killed in action 10 June 1915 at Gallipoli, age 20.

His older brother 267 Private Alfred Evan Jones had enlisted with Percy in the 29th Battalion and was eventually returned to Australia, with chronic rheumatism and myalgia during March 1918.

Another brother, 180 Sergeant Arthur Cyril Jones had enlisted in 1914, and was an original of the 13th Battalion. He served at the Anzac Landing and was badly wounded on the 26 May 1915 when a bullet removed some fingers and smashed his wrist up. He was returned to Australia 2 July 1915. (compound fracture arm and hand)

Another brother, 181 Harold Leswell Jones, joined up the same day as Arthur in original 13th Battalion an also served at Gallipoli. He too was wounded in action Gallipoli, and had a finger amputated, and was eventually sent home medically unfit during November 1917.

A sixth brother, John Myrtle Jones, born Yarroweyah, was discharged medically unfit in Broadmeadows, after twice trying to enlist.

Although his parents lived in Finley NSW, Percy’s place of asscoaition on the Honour Roll was given as Cobram, Victoria, about 30 miles south. The following article appeared in the Cobram Courier 30th November 1916:

‘Another soldier who was born in this district has given his life for the Empire, and all Finley is mourning with Mrs. Evan Jones in the loss of Percy, the second of her five soldier sons to be killed in action. The late Private Percy Jones, who was the fourth son of the late Mr. Evan and Mrs. Jones, was born at Yarroweyah in 1887 (just twenty-nine years ago) and partly educated there until he was taken by his parents when about 12 years old to reside at Myrtle Park, near Finley. He grew to be a fine young man, industrious, intelligent, and unassuming, who was popular with all and a dashing footballer. Five out of seven of the Jones boys, Alfred, Henry, Cyril, Sidney and Percy answered the Call, and of these Sidney and Percy were killed in action, Cyril was wounded and returned disabled to Australia, and Harry also got hit but was patched up and is back again in the firing line with his brother Alf. Old friends of the family who knew them when in this district sympathise with the mother, sisters, and brothers in their great loss.’