In memory of Richard Jones

Photo of Richard JonesRichard Jones was born on 8 December 1876 in Carno, Montgomeryshire, writes grandson David Jones. He was the eldest child of Jonathan and Ann Jones, both born and married in Carno. Richard’s younger siblings were born in Llancynfelin, Taliesin, Cardiganshire: David (b. 1879) and Anne (b. 1882). Ann was buried in Llancynfelin churchyard in 1887. Jonathan remarried in 1888 and had a further six children. 

Richard and his father were itinerant tailors. Family lore says both were left handed. The photo below shows Richard (centre of picture) working as a tailor.

Richard lived at 9 Chalybeate Street, Aberystwyth, when in March 1899 he married Elizabeth Jane Jones at Baker Street Chapel. Her father was also a tailor. They settled in Talybont and had six children. By 1911 Richard was working as an agent for Law Integrity Insurance Company. His job probably took him around Wales. 

In 1915 he enlisted in the army at Mountain Ash, near Pontypridd, and after training was posted to the Welsh Regiment 14th Bn (Swansea Pals) in France. On 6 July 1916 the battalion moved up to the Citadel by Fricourt, in the Somme region. On 8 July, while in White Trench before Mametz Wood, Richard wrote his last letter home using an indelible pencil. In Welsh, he told his wife that he was well and wished to be remembered to his family and friends.  

Photo of Richard Jones working as a tailorOn the morning of 10 July the battalion attacked Mametz Wood. Richard was killed, aged 39. His body was never identified. He is commemorated on Thiepval Monument, Aberystwyth war memorial and the grave of his wife and eldest son in Aberystwyth Cemetery.
 
His family was living at 5 Gogerddan Place when they received news that he was missing. In September 1916 the Cambrian News reported that he had suffered wounds to his thigh and arm but was “progressing favourably”. After numerous letters to War Office, the family were eventually told in April 1917 that there was no further news “of this soldier”. In July 1917 the Cambrian News reported that Richard Jones had been killed in action a year earlier. 

Three of Richard’s sons stayed in Aberystwyth. One worked as a draper, one at the National Library of Wales and one, Richard Trefor Jones, on the railway until he died while serving in the army in the Second World War.

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