In memory of Hugh Owen Jones

In memory of Hugh Owen Jones

Hugh Owen Jones was born in Llandudno in May 1915, writes Adrian Hughes. His great grandmother was Sarah Brookes, one of the pioneers of the bathing huts which operated on the North Shore at Llandudno. Bathing machines were introduced to Llandudno in 1855 and for 6d the occupant changed into their bathing costume in the hut. The machine was drawn by a horse into the sea and the bather was allowed 40 minutes before it was pulled out of the water.

The family home was Whitmor House, Madoc Street. It has since been demolished to make room for the small road to the rear of Boots' chemist shop. His father Hugh Owen, a Private with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, was buried in Belgium after his death in September 1917 and is named on the town’s war memorial.

Hugh attended Lloyd Street School and John Bright Grammar School, before joining the Royal Welsh Fusiliers as a signaller. At some point between July and August 1944 he became a soldier of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. The Royal Scots landed in Normandy in June 1944 as part of Allied campaign to oust the Nazis from France. While taking part in ‘Operation Bluecoat’ on 4 August 1944, Fusilier Jones was tragically killed near Catheolles. He is buried in the Bayeux British Cemetery, 16 miles north-west of Caen, France.

He was married to Laura Williams and they had two children: Raymond, born in 1935; and Denise, born in 1938.

 

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