Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Great War M.C. group of four awarded to Major E. L. Jones, Royal Fusiliers; who as Adjutant to the 17th Battalion, received a glowing testimonial from Lieutenant-Colonel Bernard Law Montgomery - who was to become Field Marshal Viscount Montgomery of Alamein

Military Cross, G.V.R., reverse inscribed, ‘2nd Lieut. E. L. Jones, 11th Batt. Royal Fusiliers, Achiet-Loupart Line, March 1917’, in case of issue; British War and Victory Medals (Capt.) these two mounted as worn; Defence Medal, unnamed, this in card forwarding box, addressed to ‘Major E. L. Jones, M.C., Sunnycroft, 35 Bowthorpe Road, Wisbech, Cambs.’, extremely fine (4) £1000-1400

M.C. London Gazette 26 May 1917. ‘Temp. 2nd Lt. Ernest Lionel Jones, R. Fus.’ ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He carried out a difficult reconnaissance under very heavy fire and obtained most valuable information. He set a fine example to his men.’

Ernest Lionel Jones was born on 22 February 1883. Prior to the war he was employed as a General Manager to a timber importer and joinery manufacturer and lived at 47 Wembdon Road, Bridgewater, Somerset. After undergoing training at the Inns of Court O.T.C., he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Fusiliers on 22 March 1916 and was advanced to Temporary Lieutenant in August 1917 and Temporary Captain in October 1917. Served with the 5th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, December 1916-January 1917; 11th Battalion, January 1917-August 1918; 5th battalion, September 1918-March 1919. Awarded the M.C. for reconnaissance services in the 11th Battalion Royal Fusiliers during March 1917. In March 1919 he was posted to the 17th Reserve Battalion Royal Fusiliers as part of the British Army of the Rhine. Appointed Adjutant to the 17th Reserve Battalion in August 1919.

In his Record of Services Book is a testimonial written by Bernard Law Montgomery (later Viscount Montgomery of Alamein) as Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding the 17th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, dated 15 October 1919:

‘Capt. E. L. Jones served as my Adjutant in the 17th Bn Royal Fusiliers. He was in all respects an excellent Adjutant; he possesses a great knowledge of the interior organisation of a battalion, and always used good judgement in the application of such knowledge. He is a good organiser and the Bn. Orderly was exceptionally well run under his orders. Before becoming Adjutant he was a most successful Coy. Comdr. He has never failed to carry out his duties to my entire satisfaction and I cannot speak too highly of his services.’ ‘B. L. Montgomery, Lieut.-Col. Comdg. 17th Roy. Fus.’

Sold with Officer’s Record of Services Book; registered envelope addressed to ‘Captn. E. L. Jones, M.C., 7 Edgar Street, Worcester’; a group photograph of officers of the 17th Battalion - including Jones and Montgomery; a number of newspaper cuttings and extracts relating to the recipient and the award of the M.C.; together with a copied gazette extract.