Oliver Jones – Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, S.S. Boscawen
Able Seaman Oliver Jones – Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, S.S. Boscawen Early Life Oliver Jones was born in 1889 in Pontardawe , the son of Morgan Jones . Royal Naval Service Oliver served as an Able Seaman with the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve during the First World War. Like many RNVR sailors, he was assigned to serve aboard merchant vessels that had been armed for self‑defence against German U‑boats. Loss of the S.S. Boscawen The S.S. Boscawen was a defensively‑armed British cargo steamer of 1,936 grt , employed in coastal and short‑sea trade around the British Isles during the war. Although not a warship, she carried a small naval detachment—including men like Oliver—to operate her defensive armament and protect her from submarine attack. On 21 st August 1918 , while sailing in ballast from Birkenhead to Barry , the Boscawen was travelling down the Welsh coast when she was attacked. At a position 23 miles WNW of Bardsey Island, North Wales , she was torpedoed ...
