Pte 27369 Harry Jones

In 1901 Harry and his mother are visiting Martha Pearson, 36, widow, in Bangor Road, Sesswick, Wrexham, and her children Harriet, Joseph, and John. Also in the household is her brother Joseph Pearson, 50, visitor Annie Gillam, 24, and farm worker James Davies, 24.  Harry is 5, and his mother Jane is 43, listed as married, living on her own means.

The 1911 Census shows the family living at Poplar Row, Burton, Rossett.  Harry's mother Jane is a widow aged 53, born 1858 no occupation and was born in Manchester. Harry is aged 16, born 1895 born in Burton and working as a grocer’s shop assistant.

Prior to the war he had been employed by Messrs, Irwin, provision merchant, Marsh Lane, Bootle.

His mother Jane appears in the 1914 Gores Directory at 86 Park St, Bootle, she is not there by the 1921 census, CWGC put her address back to Poplar Row, Burton, Rossett.

Harry enlisted in Liverpool and was serving in the 18th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 27369.when he died of wounds.

Harry’s name appeared in the list of Wounded, published in the Liverpool Daily Post on 04th August 1916.

Harry died of his wounds on 12th August 1916 at the 3rd V.A.D. (Voluntary Aid Detachment) Hospital, Exeter.

 

Devon first-line VAD hospitals received patients in direct convoys from Southampton and other ports, transferred by ambulance trains to Exeter and other towns. From there motor or horse-drawn ambulances driven mainly by the Men’s VA Detachments of the Red Cross or the St.John’s Ambulance Service brought the wounded from the stations to the hospitals.

 

Harry was laid to rest in Higher Cemetery, Exeter on 14th August 1916. Families had the option of bringing home the bodies of soldiers who died in the U.K. to bury locally. It is not known why Harry was buried in Exeter and not brought back to Bootle or Wrexham.

Exeter Higher Cemetery has 406 First World War burials in the Cemetery.

News of his death was contained in a report in the Liverpool Echo on the 15^th August 1916:

DIED IN EXETER HOSPITAL.

Private H. Jones, of the "Pals," whose mother lives at 86, Park-street, Bootle, died in hospital at Exeter from wounds. At the time he joined the Army a year ago he was employed at the Marsh-lane shop of Messrs. Irwin, provision merchants. 

JONES -

In loving memory of Private Harry Jones, King's Liverpool Regiment, died of wounds August 12, 1916, in No.3 Military Hospital, Exeter, aged 21 years, dearly-loved son of Mrs Jones, late of 86 Park Street, Bootle. (Greater Love hath no man than this, that he laid down his life for his friends) - Never Forgotten Mother.

 

His Pals placed an In Memoriam notice in the Liverpool Echo on 13th August 1917:

“In loving memory of our dear Pal, Private Harry Jones, K.L.R. (late of 86 Park Street Bootle), who died of wounds in No.3 Military Hospital, Exeter, August 12, 1916, aged 21 years. (He laid his richest gift upon the altar - his life.) - Sadly missed by Tom (of Aintree) and John (of Rossett)