William John Jones – Welsh Guards, 1st Battalion

Private William John Jones – Welsh Guards, 1^st Battalion

Family Background

William John Jones was born in 1888 in Oystermouth, the son of David Jones and Margaret Guy, who were married in 1872.

1891 Census

In 1891 Census, the Jones family were living at William Street, Mumbles.
David (44) was recorded as a Mariner, while Margaret (36) worked as a Laundress. Their children present were Gwendoline M. (15); David James (13); Emmelin A. (11); Gladys Mary (8); Reuben Guy (6)—the younger three attending school—along with William John (3) and Gordon S. (1).

1901 Census

By the time of 1901 Census, the family were still residing at 12 William Street.
David (55) continued working as a Mariner, and Margaret (47) remained at home. Their children present were David (22), a Railway Engine Cleaner; Gladys (18), a General Domestic Servant; Reuben (16), a General Labourer; Willie (13); Gordon (11); Maud (8); and Josephine (4).

1911 Census

In the 1911 Census, the family were living at 3 William Street, Mumbles. David (66) was working as a Labourer, and Margaret (57) continued as a Laundress. Their children still at home were Gladys Mary (28), a Charwoman; William (23) and Gordon (21), both employed as Labourers; and Josephine (14), who was attending school.

Marriage

In 1917, William married Rosina M. Rogers.

Military Service and Death

William first enlisted in the Grenadier Guards, later transferring to the Welsh Guards, 1^st Battalion. During May 1918, the battalion was serving on the Western Front at a time when the German Army had launched a series of major offensives earlier in the spring. Although the front had stabilised by late May, the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards were engaged in demanding and dangerous duties in the Arras sector, including holding front-line and support trenches, manning defensive positions, strengthening wire and fortifications, and conducting patrols into No Man’s Land.

Despite the absence of a large-scale battle at the end of May, the battalion remained under frequent shellfire, trench mortar attacks, and sniper activity, conditions that resulted in daily casualties. The month was also one of reorganisation, as the battalion was rebuilding its strength after earlier heavy fighting. These hazardous duties were characteristic of the attritional trench warfare of 1918, even during so-called “quiet” periods.

It was during this period of constant operational strain that Private William John Jones died on 30^th May 1918. He is buried at Bagneux British Cemetery, Gezaincourt, France, a cemetery used by casualty clearing stations and hospitals treating wounded soldiers from the Somme and Arras sectors.