2734 PRIVATE JOHN WILLIAM JONES: 2ND BATTALION SHROPSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY
John William Jones was born in 1866 in Lower Sapey in the district of Bromyard, Herefordshire. Lower Sapey actually lies just into Worcestershire but belongs to Bromyard for administrative purposes!
The great Census of 1871 finds John as a 4 year old living at Stoneyhead Cottage, Upper Sapey, Bromyard, Herefordshire.
He appears to be living with his grandparents James (75) and Maria Austin's (66), his uncle George (27) and cousin Anne J. Austin's (3). Perhaps the enumerator recorded another household member incorrectly? Vincent Jones (27) was recorded also as a grandson. However, a Vincent Jones was given as the name of John's father as next of kin at attestation into the army. Perhaps after 152 years I have corrected an anomaly!
The researcher must assume that his mother had died prior to 1871. In 1861, an Emma Austins, a 23 year old employed as a servant, lived at Black Cottage, Lower Subadge (another potential anomaly here, as local knowledge leads me to believe that this should be Lower Hubbage), Upper Sapey, Bromyard.
John found employment as a labourer as detailed on his attestation document which was completed on 9th January 1888 at Shrewsbury, where he became a member of the Shropshire Light Infantry at the age of 22 years and 6 months.
He measured up as 5' 6 1/4" in height, weighed 157lbs and had a maximum chest expansion of 37". He had a fresh complexion, grey eyes, light brown hair and was Church of England by denomination. There were three small moles on the right side of his neck by way of distinctive marks.
His service record as follows:
Home ---06/02/1888 to 06/11/1899.
South Africa ---07/11/1899 to 10/06/1900.
Home---11/06/1900 to 05/02/1901.
Total --- 13 years and 20 days.
His entire enlistment was spent as a 2nd battalion soldier, and appointed Lance Corporal on 7th November 1899 on embarkation to South Africa.
As previously mentioned, his father Vincent was named as next of kin, residing at Lower Sapey, Bromyard, Herefordshire.
Queen's South Africa medal awarded to 2734 Private J.W.Jones.
His QSA bears the clasps Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein and Orange Free State. Therefore, he was part of the 2nd Battalion Shropshire Light Infantry who gave good service during the final days of Piet Cronje's last stand at Paardeberg.
The first three clasps mentioned above are shown to be his entitlement on the medal roll. However, I can find nothing for Orange Free State. The rivets appear to be fine and the patination is consistent overall.
The medal roll tells us that John was to "England 1-5-00".
So safe to assume that he did not have to man blockhouses in the guerilla stage of the conflict and avoided being billeted with his comrades in Bloemfontein where so many men contracted the deadly enteric fever due to the unsanitary conditions there.
By this time he had completed 12 years with the colours, so perhaps he was sent home having done his full term?
The trail runs cold now, my search for a John Jones in the Bromyard area has not revealed any satisfactory results. John Jones is a very common name in this part of the world at that time.
Having family connections in the Bromyard area, I was very pleased to pick up a QSA to a local man. As a very rural region the population would be low and consequently the number of blokes who served would also likely be low, I would have thought.
Also, another QSA to add to the list of the forummer who is compiling a list of men of the regiment who served in South Africa during the Anglo Boer War. I hope this is a fresh record!
Cheers Steve