TOPIC:

A new addition to my QSA casualty collection.
Awarded to 2794 Private John Edward Jones.
1st Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers.



John Edward Jones was born in 1872 in the seaside town of Rhyl North Wales. He attested in August 1890 aged 18 years old at Wrexham North Wales. He resided at his father's home at Victoria Road Rhyl,
Where he worked as a Bottler/ Bottlier, which I believe was the trade of making leather containers for holding liquids for wine flasks or water bottles. Before he joined the 1st battalion RWF, he had been serving with A company 3rd Volunteer Battalion RWF regimental number 195.
His first few years with the regiment were spent in Britain until he left for India in 1892. His time in India spanned over 5 years and would have probably been in the Bengal and Nowshera area, as these locations retained training camps for the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. On his return to England in 1897 he was discharged in November that year.

Private Jones was recalled to the colours in October 1899 where he was preparing to sail to South Africa.


The 1st Battalion sailed on the Oriental on 22nd October 1899, and arrived at the Cape around the 13th November.  They were sent on to Durban, and along with the 2nd Royal Fusiliers, 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers, and 2nd Royal Irish Fusiliers, formed the 6th Brigade under Major General Barton.

In April 1900 the brigade was brought round to Cape Colony and concentrated at Kimberley.  On 5th May the battle of Rooidam was fought, this battalion and the Royal Fusiliers being in the first line. 



For their work in the very arduous pursuit of De Wet, in August 1900, the Welsh Fusiliers as well as the Scots Fusiliers were highly praised by Lord Methuen.

At Frederickstad between 15th and 25th October 1900 General Barton had a lot of very severe fighting, in which the battalion again gained great praise from the general and Commander-in-Chief.  In these actions the RWF battalion had about 15 men killed and 3 officers and 30 men wounded.

It was at this action that Private 2794 John E Jones was one of the 30 men wounded. The South Africa Field Force records his wound as slightly.

His papers suggest that he was severely wounded on the 25th of October during the battle of Frederickstad.



Frederickstad 19th October to 25th October 1900.

Map shows situation as of Thursday 25th October 1900.

Fig 1. Positions held by Royal Welsh Fusiliers, supported by various mounted units.

Fig 2. The 4.7 inch Royal Naval gun sited at Gun Hill, defended by 2 companies of Royal Scots Fusiliers.

Fig 3. South Hill was held by 6 companies of Royal Scots Fusiliers with a detachment of Marshalls Horse in support.

Fig 4. De Wet ordered 200 plus men to seize ground near the railway station in the middle of the British position, effectively splitting Barton's command in two. This manoeuvre would also threaten the British water supply. However,General Barton recognising that to leave the Boer force in place made his whole position untenable. Barton ordered 3 companies from each of his Battalions to drive the Boers from their position. With support from a detachment of Imperial Light Horse the RWF Maxim and numerous companies with bayonets fixed, the Boers were driven from the surrounding area. The British action was described at the time as one of the finer infantry advances of the conflict. The battle was over by early afternoon, British losses were 15 killed and 33 wounded, with the Boers having 46 killed.

( Map, courtesy of the Boer War Atlas by Chris Ash - 30 Degrees South Publishers) 2020.

There is no mention of Private Jones being returned to England or invalided out of the Battalion, which suggests his wounding was dealt with in theatre and may have been slight as recorded or a more severe wound that allowed him to recover and carry on his service with his regiment. His time in South Africa was well over a 1000 days.

During 1901 the battalion remained in the Western Transvaal and took part in the very successful operations of General Babington.


1st Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers S A 1900


On 23rd May 1901 another convoy going to Ventersdorp was very heavily attacked, but the enemy was driven off.  A detachment of the battalion again formed part of the escort, and lost 1 man killed and 1 officer and 11 men wounded.  On this occasion the wounded officer, Captain Hay, and 5 non-cominissioned officers and men gained mention for exceptional gallantry.


Towards the close of 1901 the battalion occupied the northern portion of the line of blockhouses running from Potchefstroom to the Kroonstad district.


1st Battalion RWF bridging the gap.

Private John E Jones returned to England in August 1902 and was discharged in September the same year. His termination from the reserves was dated February 1907. His medical paperwork suggests his health and fitness was satisfactory in 1903 and he was passed fit for the reserves. He returns to Rhyl to stay at his father, Jonathan's residence, which is now located at Clywdd Street. As for what happened to John later on in life? I promise to keep you posted. I don't think I am ready for a trawl of the Welsh archives for a J Jones at this present moment in time.