Additions will be checked before being published on the website and where possible will be forwarded to the person who submitted the original entries. Your contact details will not be forwarded, but they can send a reply via this messaging system.
please scroll down to send a message
Pte. Thomas William Jones
British Army 20th Btn., D Coy., 14th Platoon Lancashire Fusiliers
from:34 York St, Crawshawbooth, Lancs
Born in Rossendale in August 1898, my grandfather Thomas William Jones enlisted in the 4th Salfords on 22nd June 1915, giving his age as 19 years and 2 months, (he was actually 16 years and 10 months). My mother knew that he had served in WW1 but nothing more, as men of his generation never spoke about it. I think he enlisted in the bantams because of his small size at that age, probably thinking he would get away with it, which he did.
He fought in all the major battles, The Somme, Ypres, Passchaendale, being wounded twice, the first time on 22nd October 1917 during the attack on Houthulst Wood and the second time on 10th August 1918 during the advance along the Amiens-Roye road.
In August 1916 his father John Jones wrote to the battalion in an attempt to have Thomas removed from the front line as he was not yet 19 years of age even offering to pay, but I doubt that with his poor background it was unlikely he could afford to. Thomas William transferred to the 15th battalion when the 20th was disbanded and remained with them until 1919. After the war he married and had two daughters. He served in the Home Guard in WW2. He died in 1958.
Additional Information:
