Name
Edward Jones
9 Nov 1885
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
21/04/1915
29
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
13054
Bedfordshire Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 31 and 33
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
Codicote Village Memorial, Peace Memorial Hall, Codicote, Not on the Harpenden memorials
Pre War
Edward was born on 9 Nov 1885 in Bowling Alley, Harpenden the son and eldest child of David and Elizabeth Jones (nee Hobbins), and baptised in Harpenden on 7 February 1886. He was one of nine children.
On the 1891 Census the family were living at High Street, Codicote, where his father was working as a Groom. They remained in Codicote on the 1901 Census when Edward’s occupation was given as Agricultural Labourer.
On the 1911 Census Edward was living with his family in High Street, Codicote and working as a Gardener (Domestic)
Wartime Service
Edward enlisted in Codicote with his brother Harvey and they both joined the Bedfordshire Regiment, Harvey as Private 13053 and Edward as Private 130454. (Their service numbers indicate enlistment in August 1914).
After basic training he arrived in France on 24 March 1915 to join the 1st Battalion at Ypres.
Edward was presumed dead and killed in action on 21st April 1915 during the defence of Hill 60, Ypres. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated at on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. A local newspaper reported on 1 May 1915 that he had been wounded in the legs during an attack on Hill 60. However the Hertford Mercury dated 15th January 1916 reported that Edward and another soldier, Richard Hemmings, received a memorial service at their Parish Church, on the Wednesday before 15th January 1916. Both were in the 1st Bedfordshires. It was believed that they had both died in the fierce battle for Hill 60. Inquiries had been made as to their fate, but no answers had been received so they were initially reported as missing and then presumed dead.
The service was conducted by the Rev H H Moore, the Dead March to Saul was played and the church bells were muffled for the occasion.
Additional Information
Brother to Harvey Jones who served with the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, died on 7 August 1918 and is also named on the Codicote Memorial. His father received a war gratuity of £3 and pay owing of £7 13s 4d.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper, Brenda Palmer
Brenda Palmer, June Colegrove, Roll-of-Honour.com
