Thomas Alfred Jones
Thomas Alfred Jones VC DCM | |
|---|---|
 Jones depicted on a cigarette card | |
| Nickname(s) | "Todger" |
| Born | 25 December 1880 Runcorn, Cheshire, England |
| Died | 30 January 1956 (aged 75) Runcorn, Cheshire, England |
| Buried | Runcorn Cemetery |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service |  British Army |
| Rank | Private |
| Service number | 11000 |
| Unit | Cheshire Regiment |
| Battles / wars | World War I |
| Awards | |
Thomas Alfred Jones, VC, DCM (25 December 1880 – 30 January 1956), also known as 'Todger' Jones, was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. There is a statue of Jones at Runcorn War Memorial.
Biography
Jones was born in Runcorn, Cheshire, on 25 December (Christmas Day) 1880. He was a private in the 1st Battalion, The Cheshire Regiment, British Army during the First World War. He was known affectionately locally as 'Todger' Jones.[1]
He was 35 years old when on 25 September 1916, during the Battle of Morval, Jones performed an act of bravery for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. He was with his company covering the advance in front of a village, when he noticed an enemy sniper 200 yards (183 m) away. He left his trench on his own, and crossed no man's land without covering fire. Although one bullet went through his helmet and another through his coat, he returned the sniper's fire and killed him. Near the enemy trench, he saw two more Germans firing on him while simultaneously displaying a white flag. Jones shot them both. Upon reaching the enemy trench, he found several occupied dug-outs and single-handedly disarmed 102 Germans. Three or four were officers, and the entire trench was taken by Jones and his comrades.[2][3]
While still serving with the 1st Cheshires, in September 1918 he won the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) for his actions near Bapaume when he "went forward five times with messages through an intense barrage [and] led forward stragglers and placed them in positions. His fine example and utter fearlessness of danger were a great incentive to the men."[4]
Jones continued to live in Runcorn and died on 30 January 1956, aged 75. He is buried in Runcorn Cemetery. His Victoria Cross medal group is displayed at the Cheshire Military Museum in Chester.[5]
Statue
On 3 August 2014 a bronze statue of Jones was unveiled in the Memorial Garden, Runcorn. Following a ceremony in front of the War Memorial opposite to the garden, the statue was unveiled by four veterans and active servicemen. It was created by the Scottish sculptor David Annand.[6]
Honours
Thomas Jones' full medal entitlement was as follows.
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| Ribbon | Description | Notes |
|
Victoria Cross (VC) |
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Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) |
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|
1914–15 Star | |
|
British War Medal | |
|
Victory Medal | |
|
Defence Medal | |
|
King George VI Coronation Medal |
|
|
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal |
|
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Territorial Force Efficiency Medal |
|
Bibliography
- Gliddon, Gerald (2011) [1991]. Somme 1916. VCs of the First World War. The History Press. ISBN 978-0-7524-6303-2.
- Thompson, Dave (2002), I Laughed Like Blazes: The Life of Private Thomas 'Todger' Jones, VC, DCM, Dave Thompson, ISBN 0954262905
References
- ^ Private Thomas Alfred (Todger) Jones VC, Halton British Legion, retrieved 30 December 2011
- ^ "No. 29802". The London Gazette (Supplement). 26 October 1916. p. 10395.
- ^ Victoria Cross for Runcorn Private, C C Publishing, retrieved 30 December 2011
- ^ "No. 13365". The Edinburgh Gazette. 9 December 1918. p. 4513.
- ^ Grave Location for Holders of the Victoria Cross in the county of Cheshire, Iain Stewart, archived from the original on 27 September 2013, retrieved 30 December 2011
- ^ Official programme, 3 August 2014
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