QSA (3) Relief of Kimberly, Paardeberg, Transvaal (3125 Pte. W. Jones. Glouc. Rgt.);
[ KSA (2) ]
William Jones was born at Haresfield, Gloucestershire, in 1872, and enlisted at Bristol on 26 February 1891. After a short period of Home Service he was posted to India on 26 November 1892. After two years on the subcontinent he returned to Britain on 29 November 1894. A further five years of home service passed before Jones was posted to South Africa with the 2nd Battalion on 31 December 1899.
Taking part in the relief of Kimberly they saw heavy fighting at Klip Drift before the British overhauled General Conje's army at Paardeberg. During the Operations here they captured several Boer positions and were involved in holding off reinforcements.
It was during one such action that Jones was wounded on 19 February 1900. Spink say 20 men of the Regiment wounded during the Battle.
Likely the action described by one correspondent as follows:
'Last Monday night (19th) a brilliant piece of work was performed by the Gloucesters. During the afternoon they approached within a short distance of a Boer kopje and contained the enemy until nightfall, when 120 men charged the kopje with bayonets and drove off the Boers with loss, bayoneting several'
He was discharged upon his return to Britain.