Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Death registration shows his age as 47.

Deaths Sep 1916 Jones John J 47 Southampton 2c 43

Birth record not found.

Sergeant Major [C.S.M.] Jones  was the son of Evan and Esther Jones, of Cynwyl Elvet. He emigrated to Australia in 1896, and had served during the Boer War with the Australian Light Horse. At the outbreak of the Great War, John enlisted again, at Broadmeadows into the 13th Battalion, Australian Infantry. In December 1914 the battalion sailed from Albany to Egypt, where it became part of the 4th Brigade, 1st ANZAC Division, and landed at Anzac Cove, Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. John was wounded twice at Gallipoli, and was promoted Corporal. The battalion remained on Gallipoli until evacuation in December, and returned to Egypt. Here, the 4th Brigade was combined with the 12th and 13th Brigades to form the 4th Australian Division. In June 1916, the 13th sailed for France and the Western Front. Its first major action in France was at Pozieres in August, then during the attacks on Mouquet Farm. John suffered gunshot wounds to the thigh on the Somme on 30 August 1916, during the attack on Mouquet Farm, and was evacuated to the University War Hospital, Southampton. He died of his wounds there on 19 September 1916, aged 41, and was brought home for burial at Blaen-y-coed Congregational Chapelyard, Cynwyl Elfed.

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick (OAM) – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland”

John Jonathan Jones was born at Conwil Elvet, Carmarthen, Wales in 1876 to parents Evan and Esther Jones (nee Phillips).

Esther Jones, mother of John Jonathan Jones, died in 1904 at Llanelly, Carmarthenshire, Wales.   

According to information provided by his brother for the Roll of Honour, John Jonathan Jones came to Australia when he was 21 years of age. He served in the Boer War with the Australian Light Horse & South African Mounted Police.

From a Medical Report completed in 1915 - John Jonathan Jones had been hospitalised at Stanton Hospital with Enteric in September, 1900 while serving in the South African War.

He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 8th September, 1914 at Broadmeadows, Victoria as a 39 year old, single, Grocer. John Jonathan Jones stated on his Attestation Papers that he had previously served with 3rd NSW Mounted Rifles, Transvall Transport Corps & Royston’s Horse Zulu Rebellion.

Private John Jonathan Jone, Service number 1445, embarked from Australia. (Note: There is no record of Private John Jonathan Jones listed on the Embarkation Roll at The Australian War Memorial. His Service Record file does not record this information either.)

On 12th April, 1915 Private Jones proceeded to join the M.E.F. (Mediterranean Expeditionary Force) at Gallipoli.

Private John Jonathan Jones was wounded at Gallipoli on 11th May, 1915 attached to 13th Battalion.

He was promoted to Corporal at Gallipoli  vice No. 1506 Cpl E. Narbridge killed.

On 7th August, 1915 Corporal John Jonathan Jones was wounded at Gallipoli. He was transferred to Hospital Ship Tunisian from Gallipoli on 8th August, 1915 with shrapnel wounds to forearm. Corporal Jones was admitted to No. 2 General Hospital at Ghezireh on 12th August, 1915 with shrapnel wounds to arm. He was listed for transfer to England on the same day.

A Medical Report was completed on Corporal John Jonathan Jones on 22nd August, 1915 while at Ghezireh, Egypt. His disability was listed as “Fracture right radius with Nerve involvement” which had occurred at Gallipoli on 7th August, 1915 while on Active Service. He was “struck on outer side of right forearm with shrapnel bullet which penetrated arm fracturing the radius. Lot of swelling of the joint on admission.” His present condition was listed as “some swelling still present. Wounds healed. Has numbness & loss of power in hand.” It was recommended that Corporal Jones be returned to England for convalescing for two months at his relations home as he was not permanently unfit.

He was discharged to duty on 23rd September, 1915 at Zeitoun.

On 5th October, 1915 Corporal Jones was listed as “wounded slight” at 3rd Western General Hospital at Cardiff, Wales.

Corporal Jones was reported with “Venereal Stoppages“ from 16th December, 1915 to 31st December, 1915 – 16 days.

His pay was stopped for 24 days due to V.D. from 26th February, 1916 to 20th March, 1916 by A.I.F. Headquarters, London.

On 1st June, 1916 Corporal Jones was discharged from Abbey Woods to Monte Video at Weymouth.

Corporal Jones was admitted to Convalescent Depot at Great Peter St, London on 19th June, 1916 for V.D. treatment. He was discharged on 8th July, 1916 – total V.D. period of 20 days.

He was written up on 26th June, 1916 while in London – being Absent without Leave & __ssing taxi cab fare. He was severely reprimanded & forfeited 5 days’ pay.

On 1st July, 1916 Corporal Jones was transferred to No. 1 Command Depot from No. 2 Command Depot.

Corporal John Jonathan Jones was written up for an Offence on 10th July, 1916 while posted with 4th Training Battalion in England – A.W.L. (Absent without leave). He forfeited 5 days’ pay.

He was marched in from Hospital at Rollestone, Wiltshire on 10th July, 1916.

Reinforcements were only given basic training in Australia. Training was completed in training units in England. Some of these were located in the Salisbury Plain & surrounding areas in the county of Wiltshire & Dorset as well as Convalescing Units.

On 30th July, 1916 Corporal Jones proceeded overseas to France from Rollestone, Wiltshire. He was taken on strength of 4th A.D.B.D. (Australian Divisional Base Depot) at Etaples, France on 1st August, 1916 & rejoined his Battalion in France on 19th August, 1916.

Corporal Jones was to be Temporary Sergeant from 15th August, 1916 while in France vice Hardy (?) wounded.

From 26th August, 1916 Temporary Sergeant Jones was to be Sergeant with 13th Battalion.

Sergeant John Jonathan Jones was wounded in France on 30th August, 1916. He was admitted to 3rd Stationary Hospital in France on 1st September, 1916 with G.S.W. (Gunshot wound/s) to thigh. Sergeant Jones embarked from Havre, France on 3rd September, 1916 for England on Hospital Ship Maheno.

He was admitted to University War Hospital, Southampton, Hampshire, England on 4th September, 1916 with G.S.W. to right thigh – severe.

Sergeant John Jonathan Jones died on 19th September, 1916 at University War Hospital, Southampton, Hampshire, England from wounds received in action in France – G.S.W. to left thigh & Tetanus.(Note: Casualty Form has G.S.W. to right thigh when admitted to Hospital).

The body of Sergeant John Jonathan Jones was sent to the residence of Mr Jones, 12 Catherine Street, Carmarthen for interment.

Sergeant Jones was buried on 21st September, 1916 in Blaen-y-Coed Congregational Chapelyard (south-west part – 7th row from West Boundary wall, 2nd grave left to right facing West), Carmarthenshire, Wales in a Family Grave and has a Private Headstone. His death is still acknowledged by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)

https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/blaenycoed.html