Six: Major W. Jones, Cheshire Regiment, late Northumberland Fusiliers and Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who was Mentioned in Despatches in both the Boer War and the Great War

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Orange Free State, last clasp attached with unofficial rivets (1705 Col Sej: W. Jones. R: Welsh Fus:); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (1705 Clr:-Serjt: W. Jones. Rl: Welsh Fus:); 1914-15 Star (Lieut. W. Jones. North’d Fus.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Major W. Jones.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (1705 Clr. Sjt. W. Jones. Rl. Welsh Fus.) mounted for display, very fine and better (6) £500-£700

M.I.D. London Gazette of 10 September 1901.

M.I.D. London Gazette 14 June 1918, with Egyptian Expeditionary Force. The Llangollen Gazette of 6 September 1918 records the mention as being for gallantry in Palestine.

Walter Jones was born in Wrexham on 12 September 1867. He initially joined the East Yorkshire Regiment on 31 August 1886, but transferred to 2nd Royal Welsh Fusiliers on 16 December 1886. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 2 March 1887, and to Corporal on 18 July 1888. He saw steady promotion to Lance Sergeant in August 1891, Sergeant in October of the same year and Colour Sergeant in April 1894, having transferred to the 2nd Battalion in February 1892. He went with the Battalion to South Africa in October 1899, serving there until February 1902, and was Mentioned in Despatches (Q.S.A. roll shows him as attached to Volunteer Battalion.) In February 1902 he was posted to the 3rd Volunteer Battalion as Sergeant & Instructor. In May 1902 he was transferred to the 2nd Volunteer Battalion and served with them until his discharge on 30 August 1904. His Long Service Medal was awarded in April 1905.

As an old soldier of 47 he joined up again on 12 September 1914, into the ranks. He was rapidly promoted over 3 days to Sergeant-Major, and was given a commission into the New Armies after serving 131 days. His Medal Index Card shows his theatre of entry into the war as Gallipolli, where he served with the 15th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, being wounded by a bomb in June 1915. He was repatriated home via Alexandria whilst attached to 1/5th East Lancashire Regiment. In November 1915 he was transferred to the 2nd Garrison Battalion, Cheshire Regiment.

Sold with copied discharge papers and record of service.