Pte 52140 William (Billy) Jones

• Age: 20
• From: Wigan, Lancs
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• K.I.A Friday 27th July 1917
• Commemorated at: Menin Gate Memorial
  Panel Ref: Panel 4 & 6

William (Billy) Jones was born in 1897 in Wigan, the son of William Jones and his wife Mary (nee Dixon), who were married on the 13th August 1884 at St George’s Church, Leeds. William was a 22 year old grocers assistant of 73 Portland Street, father Humphrey a tailor, whilst Polly was a 21 year old tailoress of 22 Rutland Place, father Thomas a painter. 

The 1901 Census shows the family have moved to 64, Springfield Road, Wigan. His father, William, is aged 38 and is employed as a butter shop manager, his mother, Mary, is aged 34 and has no occupation listed. They have five children in the household; Maboth aged 15 is a dressmaker, Cilla aged 13, Clarice (Clara) aged 10, William aged 4 and Edward aged 3. 

The 1911 Census shows the family have moved and are living at 7 Bainbridge St, Ardwick, Manchester. His father, William, is aged 49, born  in Newtown, Montgomeryshire  in 1862 his occupation is a butter salesman manager, his mother, Mary, is aged 45, born in Leeds in 1866 and has no occupation listed. They have been married for 26 years with five children declared in the household; Maboth aged 25, born 1886 and Clarice aged 20, born 1891 are both dress makers, William aged 14, born 1897 is an office boy, Edward aged 13, born 1898 is still at school, Lillie Opat their married daughter is aged 23, born 1888 no occupation listed and is living at the family home with her husband Max Opat aged 31, born 1880 occupation hygienic appliance foreman and he is a resident of Germany. They have two children Henry aged 2, born 1909 and Frank aged 1, born 1910.

Billy enlisted in Manchester and served originally as Private 2792 of the Manchester Regiment. Following a transfer he was serving in the 19th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 52140.

He was killed in action on the 27th July 1917, aged 20.

The 19th Battalion Diary records the events of the day as follows:

"Very heavy shelling during the day on front and support lines. Our artillery was also very active during the day and night. At night 'B' Company relieved 'C' Company in the front line. Later word was received that the Germans had retired on our left and 'D' Company were immediately sent into the front line to reinforce 'B' Company. Patrols of the 16th Battalion, Manchester Regiment pushed forward but returned just before daybreak after finding the enemy trenches were occupied, and at the same time 'D' Company returned to the support line from the front line". 

Billy's body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium.

The site of the Menin Gate was chosen because of the hundreds of thousands of men who passed through it on their way to the battlefields. It commemorates casualties from the forces of Australia, Canada, India, South Africa and United Kingdom who died in the Salient. In the case of United Kingdom casualties, only those prior 16 August 1917 (with some exceptions). United Kingdom and New Zealand servicemen who died after that date are named on the memorial at Tyne Cot, a site which marks the furthest point reached by Commonwealth forces in Belgium until nearly the end of the war. New Zealand casualties that died prior to 16 August 1917 are commemorated on memorials at Buttes New British Cemetery and Messines Ridge British Cemetery.

The YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL now bears the names of more than 54,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The memorial, designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield with sculpture by Sir William Reid-Dick, was unveiled by Lord Plumer on 24 July 1927.

Soldier's effects, army pay of £3 13s 7d, war gratuity of £13 and pension of 8/5 pw to his mother, known as Polly, 1, Belgrave Avenue.

He was reported killed in the Weekly Casualty List on the 28th August 1917:  

King’s (Liverpool Regiment) - Jones, 52140, W. (Manchester); 

Family notices were placed in the Manchester Evening News on the 07th September 1917:

JONES - In sad and loving memory of our dear son Private W. Jones (Billy), 52140, King's Liverpool Regiment, killed by a shell July 27th 1917.

What happy hours we once enjoyed

How sweet the memories still;

But they have left an aching void

This world can never fill.

Oh, that those who made the quarrel

Were the only men to fight.

- From his broken hearted Mother, Father and Brother Eddie, his PAL (in France), and Sister LIL and children, Belgrave Avenue, Victoria Park. 

JONES - In ever loving memory of my dear brother Private W. Jones (Billy), 52140, King's Liverpool Regiment, aged 21 years, killed by a shell. July 27th 1917.

Sleep on dear brother in a soldier's grave,

A grave we may never see,

But as long as life and memory last

We shall always think of you.

In heaven to meet once more.

- From his sorrowing sister CLARICE and brother-in-law Frank (serving in France). 

JONES - In loving and unfading memory of my dear brother Private W. Jones (Billy), 52140, King's Liverpool Regiment, killed by a shell, July 27th 1917, a week before his 21st birthday.

However long our lives may last,

Whatever land we view,

Whatever joy or grief we have

Till death we will think of you.

Just to clasp his hand once more.

From his broken hearted Sister MABOTH and brother-in-law HARRY (serving), 2 Agnes Road, Longsight.

His parents (and brother Edward) are still at Belgrave Avenue on the 1921 Census. Due to the commonality of their surname it is not known when they died. 

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