Pte 23955 Hugh Jones

• Age: 20
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• D.O.W Monday 31st July 1916
• Commemorated at: La Neuville Brit Cem Corbie
  Panel Ref: I.E.36

Hugh Jones was born 21st December 1895 in Liverpool and was baptised 22nd January 1896 at All Souls Church, Everton, the son of Hugh and Elizabeth Jones.  

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 7, Eccles Street, Liverpool. His father Hugh aged 49, born in Holyhead, Anglesey, in 1852 is an asphalt labourer, whilst his mother,  Elizabeth, is aged 47, born 1854 in Liverpool and has no occupation listed. At the time of the Census they have seven children living with them; Catherine aged 21 born 1880 is a blue stamper, Margaret aged 16, born 1885 is a cigarette maker, Mary aged 14, born 1887 is a blue wrapper, Sarah aged 10, born 1891, Alice aged 9, born 1892, Hugh aged 5, born 1896 and Samuel aged 2, born 1899. The children were all born in Liverpool.

The 1911 Census shows the family living at 89 Conway Street, Liverpool. His father Hugh aged 62, (now showing year of birth as 1849) is a general labourer and his wife Elizabeth is aged 58 and has no occupation listed. They have been married for thirty three years and have had ten children of which two had died. At the taking of the Census they have six children living with them; Margaret aged 27 is a cigarette maker, Mary Jane aged 25 with no occupation is now married to William Allen aged 25, born 1886 and he is employed as a yeast packer and  they have one child Parker Alexander who is one month old, Sarah aged 22, is employed as a blue stamper, Alice aged 20 is employed as a blue wrapper, Hugh aged 16 is a pawnbrokers assistant and Samuel aged 13 is at school. 

Hugh enlisted in Liverpool and was serving in the 20^th (Pals) Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private 23955.

Formed in November 1914 the 20^th Battalion were originally billeted at Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on 29^th January 1915 they moved to the hutted accommodation purposely built at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 19th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. On 07th November 1915 he embarked for France with his battalion.

Hugh was undoubtedly wounded during the attack at Guillemont. He died in consequence of those wounds on 31^st July 1916 and now rests at La Neuville British Cemetery, Corbie, France.

In April 1916, No.21 Casualty Clearing Station came to La Neuville and remained there throughout the 1916 Battles of the Somme, until March 1917. La Neuville British Cemetery was opened early in July 1916. Most of the burials date from this period, but a few graves were added during the fighting on the Somme in 1918. Neuville British Cemetery contains 866 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. There are also 27 German war graves. The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

The Liverpool Evening Express advised in their edition of 07th September 1916 that prior to the war Hugh was a prominent member of Netherfield Conservative Club.

His pension went to his mother Mrs. Elizabeth Jones, 116 Conway Street, Everton, later at 9 Mount Place, Harpurley, Manchester.  His parents received his effects and War Gratuity.

Hugh’s loss was not the only tragedy to blight the family as his younger brother Samuel, Rifleman 65024, 2^nd K.L.R., died of wounds on 27^th June 1918, aged 20.  He now rests in Gezaincourt Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France.

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