Pte 23056 John William Jones

• Age: 27
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• D.O.W Tuesday 30th April 1918
• Commemorated at: Esquelbecq Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: I.B.21

John William Jones was born in Liverpool in the December quarter of 1896 the son of John Allen Jones and his wife Alice (nee Allerton). His parents married in 1893 at St Mary's Church, Kirkdale. He was baptised on 02nd November 1896.

On the 1901 Census, John is aged 5 living at 34 Wolsey Street, Kirkdale. His father, John Allen is a 37 year old labourer born in Barmouth, Wales, whilst his mother Alice  is aged 30, He has siblings recorded as Ernest aged 7 and Frederick aged 2. Also present are cousins Arthur Allerton 25, William Henry Allerton 23, and Edward Allerton 18.

On the 1911 Census, John is 14 living at 56 Harebell Street, Kirkdale and employed as a steam hammer boy for a blacksmith. His father John Allen is a 48 year old timekeeper for the Dock Board, his mother Alice is 39 years of age. He has siblings; Ernest a 17 year old apprentice rivetter, Frederick aged 12 is at school, and Sidney aged 3. 

Prior to enlistment John was employed at Helsby wire works. and married Eleanor Swann of Castle, Northwich around 1911. They lived with Eleanor's
parents, Mr and Mrs Robert Swann, at 36 Regent Street, Moulton.

He enlisted in Liverpool on 09th Nov 1914 joining the 20th Battalion as Private 23056. He gave his age as 19years and his occupation as a clerk. He is described as being 5 feet 4and a half inches tall weighing 126lbs with a 34" chest. He is of fresh complexion with hazel eyes and dark brown hair. His NOK(crossed out) John Jones snr, 56 Harebell St, Kirkdale, replaced by wife Eleanor.

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 20th 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. He arrived in France on 7^th November 1915.

He married Eleanor Swann on 28th August 1915 at Hoole, Cheshire. 

He was transferred to the 18^th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment most probably after the disbandment of the 20th batttalion in February of 1918. He died of wounds on the 30^th April 1918, aged 27, during the German Spring Offensive.   

He now rests at Esquelbecq Military Cemetery, France. 

The cemetery was opened in April 1918 during the early stages of the German offensive in Flanders, when the 2nd Canadian and 3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Stations came to Esquelbecq. It was closed in September 1918, although one French grave was added in 1919 and one British soldier from 1916 was added later from an isolated site.

The cemetery was used again during the Second World War, mainly for the burial of those killed during the German advance of May 1940 and the withdrawal of the British Expeditionary Force to Dunkirk.

Esquelbecq Military Cemetery contains 578 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and 47 from the Second World War. There are also 11 French and German burials.

The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

Soldiers Effects to wife Eleanor, courtesy of her parents Robert and Mary Swann of Moulton, Cheshire these included a 9 carat ring, an identity disc,  a cigarette case, letters, photos, cards, wallet, a religious book, scissors and a photo locket.

A daughter, Maisie Viola was born on 15th June 1918 after John's death. She was baptised on 07th August 1918 at St Oswalds Chirch in Chester.  

His service record contains a letter stating that his wife Eleanor died on 23rd September 1918 aged 24. 

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