Pte 24657 Norman Eustace Jones

• Age: 19
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• D.O.W Sunday 9th July 1916
• Commemorated at: St Sever Cem, Rouen
  Panel Ref: A.25.12

24657 Private Norman Eustace JONES, 18th Battn KLR – DOW 09.07.1916.

Norman Eustace Jones was born on the 09th December 1896 in Liverpool and was baptised in St Cyprian’s Church, Edge Hill on 16th January 1897. Norman was the youngest child of William Alfred Pitman Jones, a bookbinder, and his wife Annie (nee Wright). The couple lived at 29 Milroy Street, Wavertree. Annie was William’s second wife, whom he married in London at the church of Holy Trinity, Havistock Hill, on the 01st March 1884. William’s first wife, Louisa (nee Dettmer), whom he had married in 1874 had died in 1878.

William and Annie had at least four children – Herbert (b.1886; Wilfred (b.1889); Sidney (b.1892); and Norman). Norman’s mother died in 1897, not long after Norman’s birth and on 30th July 1898, William married for a third time, marrying Elizabeth Jones at St Margaret’s Church, Anfield, giving his address as 39 Whiteford Street, off Whitefield Road, Everton. 

Norman was admitted to Lombard Street Council School on 12th November 1900. His father is shown as his parent and his occupation is recorded as a Stationer. 

The 1901 Census shows William and Elizabeth at 39 Whiteford Street, Liverpool. William is aged 52 and is a bookbinder, whilst Elizabeth is 45 years of age and is also a bookbinder. Norman is 5 years old and lives with four siblings; Herbert aged 14 is an apprentice to a stationer, Wilfred is 12, Sidney is 9 and John P. is aged 2 born to William and Elizabeth. 

In 1911 they live with the five children at 81 Lombard Street, Everton. His father is now 63 years of age and is still a bookbinder, his wife Elizabeth is 56 with no occupation listed. Herbert is a 25 year old clerk; Wilfred aged 22 is a bookbinder; Sidney is a 19 year old joiner; and Norman aged 15 is a clerk and John is a 12 year old scholar. William and Elizabeth’s marriage certificate says that she was 42 years old and a spinster, yet she states in the 1911 Census that she has had 7 children, all of whom survived. It is likely that she has claimed to be the mother of all William’s children.

Norman’s service record has not survived but we know that he enlisted in Liverpool and was serving in the 18th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 24657.

From the 23^rd September 1914 the 18th Battalion was billeted at Hooton Park Race Course and remained there until 03^rd December 1914 when they moved into the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 18th 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.

His medal card shows that he earned his three medals and embarked for France on 7th November 1915, disembarking at Boulogne.

Norman was wounded sometime before the 09th July 1916 when he died of those wounds. 

He now rests at St Sever Cemetery, Rouen, Section A Row 25 Grave 1. where his headstone bears the epitaph::

“HAVE MERCY UPON HIM LORD AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON HIM”

During the First World War, Commonwealth camps and hospitals were stationed on the southern outskirts of Rouen. A base supply depot and the 3rd Echelon of General Headquarters were also established in the city.

Almost all of the hospitals at Rouen remained there for practically the whole of the war. They included eight general, five stationary, one British Red Cross, one labour hospital, and No. 2 Convalescent Depot. A number of the dead from these hospitals were buried in other cemeteries, but the great majority were taken to the city cemetery of St. Sever. In September 1916, it was found necessary to begin an extension.

The Cemetery and the Extension adjoin each other but have separate Registers.

St. Sever Cemetery contains 3,082 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. There is also 1 French burial and 1 non war service burial here.The adjoining cemetery extension contains 8,348 Commonwealth burials of the First World War (ten of them unidentified) and in Block "S" there are 328 from the Second World War (18 of them unidentified). There are also 8 Foreign National burials here.

The Commonwealth plots were designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.

The Register of Soldiers’ Effects shows that monies owed to him were paid to his father on 04.10.1916 but then to his mother on 02.10.1919. His father had died towards the end of 1916 in Liverpool. 

Norman was remembered on the first anniversary of his death in the Liverpool Daily Post on 09th July 1917:

JONES - In loving memory of Private N.E. Jones (Liverpool Pals), who died of wounds July 9, 1916.

(Sadly missed by Bert and Liz.)

JONES - In loving memory of Private N.E. Jones (Liverpool Pals), who died of wounds July 9, 1916.

(Though death divides, from memory clings.) - Alice.

He was also remembered on the second anniversary of his death in the Liverpool Echo on 08th July 1918:

JONES - In loving memory of Private NORMAN E. JONES K.L.R. (Pals) who died of wounds received in action July 9 1916 (Ever remembered) - Sidney and Ethel   

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