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Horace, known as ‘Beau’ was born at Pinnaroo on the 10th January 1918 to Mr and Mrs Leonard H. Jones, who farmed near Chandos, south of the railway. Beau’s siblings included Skeet Jones who later moved to Mt Compass, and a younger brother Clarence Leonard. His sisters included Edith Sylvia (Mickan).
Post WWI it was not uncommon for hospital Matrons to request and receive donations as was the case for the Pinnaroo Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital. The Jones family regularly contributed with a variety of home-grown items including eggs, chickens, a hare and a cake baked by Sylvia.
When Beau was 12, the Parilla Agricultural Bureau organised a ‘Lantern lecture’ on Agricultural Education with a tour of inspection of the district with the Jones’ farm and crop of wheat being the first visited. The Pinnaroo and Border Times of September ’30 reported that ‘This crop consisted of about 100 acres of Joffre and Sepoy varieties, and was one of the best, and most forward crops seen during the tour. The party proceeded from here past Mr Jones’ very nice homestead.’ This was high praise for the hard-working family.
Beau had just turned 15 when the farm came to attention for an entirely different reason when a large sink hole appeared in one of the sandy paddocks. The Pinnaroo and Border Times described it as being ‘perfectly round with a diameter of approximately 12 feet and about 15 feet deep. To a distance of nearly 12 feet down the circle was so complete and even, that it appeared almost as if someone had used a large knife and cut a perfectly round hole. The hole spread outwards as it continued further down.’ Speculation of it being a meteorite were quickly dismissed, as was it being an old well, but it attracted many curious visitors.
As was his older brother, Skeet, Beau was a talented member of the local Parilla football team, playing from his early teens. While Skeet was a talented defender, Beau proved to be a reliable forward line player. He was also a competent horse-riding enthusiast, enjoying lengthy rides with other locals, culminating with a picnic tea during September ’39. This carefree lifestyle quickly came to an end with the declaration of war, culminating with Beau enlisting just after his 22nd birthday on 29th June ’40. Enlisting the same day were close friends, 21 year old Clarrie Baldwin and 22 year old Clem Billing and ‘Beau’ Jones with the trio becoming SX6856 SX7108, SX6829 and respectively. All were allocated to the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. Their first days were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds before the battalion headed to Woodside in the Adelaide Hills for preliminary training. The following month Beau’s sister, Edith married Claude Gregor in the Parilla Methodist Church, with Beau being chosen as the groomsman.
Beau’s younger brother, Clarrie, aged 20 enlisted the following year in November ’41 as SX15145 and was also allocated to the 2/48th Battalion.
Following pre-embarkation leave, the three friends and their 2/48th Battalion then embarked on the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940, arriving on the 19th December 1940 where the Battalion completed a few months training in Cyrenaica. During those early days, the battalion settled into camps, but besides regular army duties was the need to quickly adapt to the locals. The new soldiers were soon involved in intense conflicts where the reputation of the 2/48th Battalion for being the most highly decorated but decimated battalion was earned.
Soon after arriving in the Middle East, Beau immediately wrote home with his letter published in the local Pinnaroo and Border Times in June ‘41 describing the totally foreign conditions to home. He stated “that at last he was in Palestine and was at home in that strange land. The climate, he said was similar to Alice Springs, hot all day, and cool at night. He was experiencing a great time, hard training, pictures every night, and a wet canteen which was noted for its cheapness.” Continuing, Private Jones said he had “done guard duty several miles away. The country he found contained good orange orchards with melon patches and all manner of things. The women perform all the work, and it was a common sight to see an old man riding a donkey with his wife trudging along behind him with a load on her head which would break a soldier’s heart. The donkies are about the size of a poddy calf; poor, miserable and small, staggering along with a load big enough for a horse. All ride by sitting right on the back over the back legs. A strange sight was the Wog’s village which consists of square mud buildings built on no set lines, with a number of them in ruins. The women still retain the veil over their faces. Private Jones said that even if they were good looking or otherwise, he was not likely to bring home an Arab wife! The Wogs gather around the camp every day selling silks, badges and all sorts of curios. The Wogs are covered with flowing robes which are rather dirty at times. They have rather sinister looking faces with dark flashing eyes, and they wear a long sword. Private Jones said he hoped to get to Tel Aviv as soon as he could, for there were to be found dance cafes and hotels. He claimed that he had no wish to come home yet but thought that a few months in the desert may alter his mind. He was of the opinion that Hitler was going to get such a kick in the pants that he would never get back. Private Jones said it was an open season for “dagoes” over there and were bombing (censored) every day. In conversation with another soldier the latter told him that jerry had come over nine times, and every bomb that fell close was met with a vehement “You dirty….. ”
Jack Slater in the 2/43rd battalion also wrote an extensive letter the following month, mentioning that Beau and Roy Winter (SX11828) from the 2/48th were both in his camp. He added “On the road to Jerusalem there are seven hills known as the Seven Sisters. They are very steep and have sharp bends far worse than any in the Adelaide hills. We had a free feed of oranges on our one-day trip. The military chaps paid the owners of the orange -groves for their crops, that we could go in and help ourselves. It is getting late in the season for oranges now. The weather here is very similar to our summer.”
Beau wrote home again with his letter being published in July ’41 describing the air raid he had witnessed. “Egypt is a land of dust and flies. You would not like it as there are no trees here, just houses and rocks —it looks so desolate. It seems as though we are camped in the centre of a fallow paddock. All day the R.A.F. are buzzing overhead. They are cute little planes—here one minute, gone the next. I saw an air raid last night. It is a fascinating sight in the distance. Tracer bullets shrieking through the heavens and heavy shells bursting higher up, with searchlights moving across the sky like long fingers; then the whoomph of bombs. We hop into our trenches and slap our tin hats on and watch the fun. I have mingled with many different nationalities, including Yanks, Indians, Poles, Greeks, Jews, Scots, Africans, Czechs, Dutch, French, Swedes and many darkies. The blackest I have ever seen are the Hottentots, commonly known as coons. I had leave in Jerusalem for two days and spent the time in viewing marvellous temples and mosques. We stayed at the club which the Comforts Fund conducts for our boys. I salute them, as it is true comfort indeed. Soft, clean beds, bathrooms, etc. You have no idea what it means to us. I can never praise it enough, and the work they are doing. I have not received a letter yet and am still looking forward to news of home. Keep a fat turkey for Christmas. Who knows I may be home then.”
The reality of war was evident in Beau’s next letter written to the Pinnaroo Girls’ Club and published in November that year. “Clarrie Baldwin, Tom Trish and myself visited the cemetery and put in the day making Eddie’s (Edwin Thiel SX2201 2/10th) and Rex’s (Neindorf SX95 2/10th) grave, it being our last opportunity. We worked hard and managed to complete them and take a snap of each which we will send to their parents in Australia. We were very disappointed in not being able to do Barry Withers’ grave, but time was against us. It is hard to realize they are gone, but they have done their share like men. Some people do not realise what war is and what it does to a man. Perhaps someday soon we will be able to thank the girls for all they have done for us, and during a dance we may tell a few skites about Tobruk. Maybe you won’t believe them, but perhaps you will have the grace to look interested. Clem and myself send kind regards to all.”
Those serving gravitated to the men they had known from back home and sent snippets back to family. Whilst none admitted being homesick, their thoughts were still of home. Private Roy Winter SX11828, also of the 2/48th wrote “The last two days have been dusty and somehow I could not dream of Pinnaroo; it had to be Adelaide or the South East where dust is rare; I hope you feel as we do for in spite of casualties among Pinnaroo chaps, we still carry on full of faith in ourselves, and confident of the future. I am proud of my unit and proud of the AIF. The AIF stands on its own! —even Jerry admits that—and, though we curse it at times, when we are alone, we are proud of it and its deeds. I saw Clem Billing, Tom Trish, Norm Badman and Beau Jones about an hour ago and they are all looking well. Beau has lost some of his condition and is now in good fighting nick, and, like all of us, is feeling fit. My best wishes to everyone in Parilla Well, (By the way Clem also received a cake).”
Many of the soldiers had, until the war, not been overseas, so when not at the front grabbed any opportunity to see a world they had only read about in books or heard about at church or school. In a letter published in January ’42 Corporal Ron Ide, SX8344 in the 2/48th described how he and Beau went on a three-day tour of Palestine visiting Haifa, Nazareth, Tiberias and Jerusalem. “Approaching Tiberias, situated on the Sea of Galilee, we were able to get some marvellous views of this historical sea from the hills. The sea shining in the sun appeared like a big opal. We arrived at lunch time and after lunch Beau Jones and myself hired a bike each for an hour (50 mils—A 1/8) and proceeded to explore the town which is not very big but is rather pretty. It is noted for its hot springs which are supposed to be a good cure for all kind of ailments. I bought my camera here. Everything is frightfully dear. It cost us 220 mils for lunch which is approximately 5/6 in Australian money. It was just an ordinary meal. In the evening we went to the picture to see “Lucky Cisco Kid”. Then home to bed . It is the first time I have slept between sheets since two days’ leave in Tel Aviv in February. After leaving Tiberias the country is very hilly with gardens in the valleys. I noticed they were vegetable gardens. After the hills there is beautiful fertile land with Jewish settlements. They seem to farm on very modem lines. Nearing Jerusalem this country is very hilly and some of the winding roads are marvellous. There is nothing in the Adelaide hills to compare with them, not even the Devil’s Elbow. After lunch we hired a taxi and went out to Bethlehem see the Church of the Nativity where Jesus was born. I saw the manger in which He was laid, and the cradle in which He was placed. All these places, are in a marvellous state of preservation. It was a very interesting trip and I enjoyed it very much. I am gaining in weight since being here. I have seen all the Pinnaroo boys quite recently, and they look well.“
By this time, Beau’s younger brother, Clarrie, had enlisted in November ’41 as SX15145 and was also allocated to the 2/48th Battalion. Letters from home were so precious to the soldiers as the news was a welcome break from the horrors of warfare. Beau wrote in February ‘42 “I have not received a letter for over a fortnight, I suppose the Japs are delaying the regular mails. I am proud that another Jones has done his duty, but Clarrie has a lot of hard training before him yet. Clem (Billing) is as grand as ever, and also Tom Trish I have been transferred to headquarters and spend less time with them. However, I go to the pictures each night with both of the boys. We held a donkey race meeting and it, was quite a fair event. I also met Jack Gregor there. He is doing fine but is complaining about lack of mail like the rest of us.” He followed that published letter up with sending home a copy of the Christmas hymns sung by the troops during their Christmas services. He explained how they were in printed form on a single sheet of paper and comprise the favourites the men would have grown up with, including “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing,” “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “As With Gladness Men of Old,” “Still the Night,” and “While Shepherds Watch’d.”
Another of Beau’s fellow soldiers, Humphrey Darke SX6937 also wrote mid-year and again commented on the lack of letters received for over seven weeks. He shared that “I suppose you are aware of the fact that I have left the Ordnance and joined old Beau (Jones). It is like old times to be back together again. I am still in Syria camped somewhere in the mountains. I have just shifted to a new area. The surroundings are pleasant. We are camped in an orchard which adjoins a very large olive grove. Nearby is perhaps one of the best villages in this country. The people are very friendly and hospitable and speak English. In peace time this place is one of the centres of attraction to tourists because of its beautiful scenery. Great attention is given to views which present wonderful sights for miles and miles from a height many feet above sea-level. Where the show abounds all the year round there are wonderful holiday resorts for tourists and holiday-makers. I suppose by this time you have already had a lot of the boys home on leave. I hope to get there myself before next Christmas.”
Similarly, by August ’42 Thomas Trish SX6894 had also written ‘from somewhere in Syria’ asking to be remembered to all Pinnaroo friends. He added “I am in the “pink” and have just had two days' leave at Beirut which I enjoyed. Beau (Jones) and Clem (Billing) are OK. We were disappointed we were not sent home but have got over it now.”
Beau and the 2/48th were about to face one of the most horrific periods of fighting with the intense battle for Trig 29 on the 4th November ‘42. John Glenn in Tobruk to Tarakan described how ‘Back on Tel el Eisa, the 2/48th watched and waited. Early that morning a stunned silence had greeted the first roll call of the decimated companies, and men had cursed the rottenness of bloody war. In their eyes, as they now gazed westward from Tel el Eisa to the clouds of dust and smoke and the exploding shells bursting on the positions they had vacated the night before, there was an indescribable something. They were the unsmiling eyes of men who have killed or tried to kill and have faced death in its most vicious form.’ Theirs was the pride and sorrow of men who have endured too much. When all else was forgotten, they would remember Alamein and their mates who died there.’ Beau was a fortunate one who had survived.
‘The next day was sufficiently quiet to allow burial parties to move out to Ring Contour 25 in search of missing men. Many that had been reported missing were found among our dead and were buried.’ ‘Towards evening eighteen shells fell in C Company area from one of the enemy’s last salvoes before going into full retreat. The unexpectedness of this shell fire caught a number of men unprepared, giving our last casualties in the Western Desert, or for that matter, in the Middle East, Private S.A. Rowe being killed, Privates H.T. Jones and F.G. Gilbert being wounded.’ Beau’s luck had held.
Home on leave in March ’43 Beau and his brother Clarrie plus another local Claude Gregor SX17943 were jointly honoured with a dance at the Parilla Institute. The three were called to the front of the Hall and warmly welcomed home. A minute’s silence was held to honour those who had paid the supreme sacrifice. The Pinnaroo and Border Times reported that ‘Mr. Pearce said that they hoped that ere long they would have the boys home, with the knowledge that they would be able to enjoy the victorious peace which they would help to win.’ A small presentation was made to each soldier before the crowd sang ‘For They Are Jolly Good Fellows’.
Both Jones brothers then returned to their battalion, and it was to be another year before they were again home in April ’44 on leave and able to attend the annual ball at the Pinnaroo Institute. The local paper again reported that ‘Among the soldiers noticed in the hall, during the night was Dvr H. A. (Beau) Jones. Friends were pleased to see Beau home again after a considerable spell of duty with the AIF.’ The following week over 300 attended another ball for the Easter Pinnaroo Sports Committee’s Ball where, again Driver Beau was extended a warm welcome. Celebrations continued at an euchre and dance held in aid of the Parilla Institute Funds where both Beau and Clarrie were welcomed. At yet another event, Gnr Murray Johnson and Pte Beau Jones were honoured guests and wished every success in the future with the gathering’s pleasure being expressed at having them home on leave. After the usual musical honours Murray and Beau suitably responded.
Yet more dances followed including a Hospital Ball where again Beau was warmly welcomed. Besides dancing, Beau also pulled on his football boots to play for his old team, Parilla in July ‘44, sparking the comment that it was good to see him ‘on leave and wearing the old colours.’
In a final, poignant and very emotional published letter to his parents, Beau wrote “I am enclosing a pamphlet that I want you to keep for me. It is the dedication service of the War Cemetery held last night, an impressive and solemn rite. The band marched at slow tempo, and the guards reversed arms. The prayers, and the thousands of troops in array presented a beautiful but sad sight. The captain, reading the names of fallen comrades, broke down and wept. You can imagine the atmosphere which prevailed. I wish that the parents of those lads could have been present. I hope to be on my way home very soon.”
Beau was finally discharged on the 19th November ’45 and arrived home with the understated comment in the local paper ‘H. A. (Beau) Jones has arrived home.’ Beau picked up the threads of his pre-war life. At the end of the ’47 football season, just four points separated Beau and the ’46 winner of the prestigious McIntosh Medal. The Pinnaroo and Border Times reported that ‘H. (Beau) Jones thoroughly deserves the honor this year and is to be congratulated upon his success. He has played many brilliant games and has been South’s most consistent performer.’ He had amassed ten first votes during the season.
By June ’49 the inter-association match between Pinnaroo and Lameroo was revived with funds raised to go to each of the districts’ hospitals. Beau was selected in the representative team for Pinnaroo. Beau captained the inter-association match at Murrayville between winning team, Pinnaroo District and North-West Mallee League. The local paper reported that ‘The game produced some of the best football seen in these districts for a long time and was worthy of an inter-association match. The day was ideal for football and good, fast play held spectators’ interest from start to finish. Beau Jones, besides playing a captain’s game, performed a great amount of good work.’ In the local league that season, captained by Beau, South won the Grand Final against Ngallo. Captain “Beau” Jones was praised for his hard work and never letting up. At the club’s trophy night, Beau won the R. Drake Trophy for the most unselfish player and his brother Clarrie the Threadgold Trophy for the most consistent. In a tribute to Beau’s leadership, several players in responding to their individual awards paid tribute to their captain H. (Beau) Jones. Beau continued to play quality football in the ensuing years, regularly appearing amongst the best players and praised for his attitude. In ’50 the post-match report was that ‘Beau Jones is improving with each match and worked himself to a standstill on Saturday.’ He consistently managed to goal each match.
Beau married Sadie Edna with the young couple having five children, June, Diane, Beverley, Kym and Peter. They continued to support their local community, including for a fine Scout and Guide Hut on the corner of the Soldiers' Memorial Park.
Sadie pre-deceased her husband and died aged 68 on the 30th June ’88. Beau lived for another decade and died the month after his 80th birthday on the 7th July ’98. Both now rest together in the Pinnaroo Cemetery.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.