Pte 32659 Griffith Jones

• Age: 22
• From: Llanrian
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Thursday 12th October 1916
• Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial
  Panel Ref: P&F1D8B &8 C.

Griffith Jones was born in Llanrug, Caernarvonshire on the 11^th May 1894 and resided in Liverpool and was the son of David and Margaret (nee Roberts) Jones who were married in 1893 in Caernarvon. 

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 56 Herschell St, Everton, Liverpool.

His father David is aged 32, occupation shown as a joiner born in in Cwm-y-glo, Caernarvonshire, whilst his mother Margaret is aged 31, born in Llanrug, Caernarvonshire. Griffith is aged 6. He has two siblings born in Liverpool, Alun aged 3, and David aged 1, 

The 1911 Census shows the family have moved to 128 Herschell St, Everton, Liverpool.

His father David is aged 42, occupation shown as a joiner born in 1869 in Cwm-y-glo, Caernarvonshire, whilst his mother Margaret is aged 41(married 17 years 6 children, 5 still alive), born 1870 in Llanrug, Caernarvonshire. Griffith is aged 16, and his occupation is a clerk. He has four siblings, all born in Liverpool and at school, Alun H, aged 13, born 1898, David Emlyn aged 11, born 1900, Trevor Wyn aged 7, born 1903 and Glyn aged 4, born 1907. 

Griffith enlisted in Liverpool and was serving in the 18th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 32659 when he was killed in action on the 12th October 1916 aged 22 during the Battle of the Transloy Ridges which was part of the ongoing Somme Offensive.

He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, France.

The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916.

On 01st August 1932 the Prince of Wales and the President of France inaugurated the Thiepval Memorial in Picardy. The inscription reads: “Here are recorded the names of officers and men of the British Armies who fell on the Somme battlefields between July 1915 and March 1918 but to whom the fortune of war denied the known and honoured burial given to their comrades in death.”

Liverpool Daily Post 12^th Oct 1917 

JONES - In loving memory of Private Griff Jones (K.L.R.), killed in action October 12, 1916, aged 22 years, the dearly loved son of David and Margaret Jones, 128 Herschell Street. (Sadly missed by Father, Mother and Brothers.) 

Liverpool Daily Post 13^th Oct 1919  

JONES - In loving memory of GRIFF, the dearly loved eldest son of D. and M. Jones, 128 Herschel Street, killed in France, October 12, 1916. - Sadly missed by Mother, Father and Brothers. 

Soldiers Effects to mother Margaret, Pension to father David.  

Father David died aged 68 on the 13^th Feb 1937 and was buried at Everton Cemetery. 

Liverpool Daily Post 15^th Feb 1937 

JONES - February 13 at 128 Herschell Street, aged 68 years, DAVID. the dearly beloved husband of Margaret Jones. Funeral service at Douglas Road Welsh C.M. Church on Wednesday next at 11 a.m. Interment follows at Everton Cemetery at 12 o'clock. 

By the 1939 register only brother Trevor Wyn is living at 128 Herschell Street, so mother most probably died in the interim.  

We currently have no further information on Griffith Jones, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.