George Lesson Jones – Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 207 Squadron

Flight Lieutenant George Lesson Jones – Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 207 Squadron

Birth and Family Background

George Lesson Jones

George Lesson Jones was born in 1913 at Oystermouth. He was the son of William James Jones and Mildred Elizabeth Ann Owen.

1921 Census

At the time of the 1921 Census, the Jones family were residing at 15 The Parade, Mumbles. William James Jones (46) was employed as a baker and confectioner, while his wife Mildred Elizabeth Ann (37) undertook household duties. Their children were Ethel Winifred (16), who assisted with household duties; George Lesson (7); Gwen May (6); Catherine Ann (4), all attending school; and Ida May, aged one.

Military Service

George Lesson Jones served with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, attaining the rank of Flight Lieutenant. He was posted to No. 207 Squadron RAF, a Bomber Command unit operating heavy bombers during the Second World War.

Lancaster I

By July 1944, No. 207 Squadron was based at RAF Spilsby, Lincolnshire, flying Lancaster I aircraft on night bombing operations against strategic targets in occupied Europe. During this period, the squadron was heavily involved in attacks forming part of the Allied Transportation Plan, intended to disrupt German rail networks, troop movements, and supply lines in support of the invasion of Normandy. On the night of 16^th July 1944, Flight Lieutenant George Lesson Jones was the pilot of a Lancaster I detailed to take part in a Bomber Command raid on the Nevers railway yards in central France, a long-range night operation deep into occupied territory that exposed aircrews to enemy anti-aircraft fire, night fighters, poor weather, and navigational hazards.

Death and Burial

His aircraft failed to return to base and was later reported to have crashed at Lignières-de-Touraine, approximately 13 miles south-west of Tours. Although the precise cause of the crash is not fully documented, losses on such operations commonly resulted from damage sustained over the target, mechanical or structural failure, or enemy action, sometimes compounded by disorientation or fuel difficulties during the return flight. The location of the crash suggests the aircraft may have remained airborne for some time after leaving the target area before coming down.

Flight Lieutenant George Lesson Jones was killed in the crash on 16^th July 1944.

He is buried at the Lignières-de-Touraine Communal Cemetery, France, where he lies among other Allied airmen who lost their lives during operations over occupied Europe.