Pte 24976 William Ernest Jones

• Age: 32
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Sunday 2nd July 1916
• Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial
  Panel Ref: P&F1D8B &8 C.

William Ernest was born 12th August 1883 in Liverpool and was baptised 12th October 1883 at St Chrysostom Church, Everton. He was the son of Clement Jones and his wife Catherine (nee Ridge). They had married in 1876 at St George's Church, Everton.

The 1891 Census finds Ernest aged 7 living with his parents, five siblings and maternal grandfather at 15 Priory Road. Liverpool. His father is a 35 year old coachsmith born in Ireland, whilst his mother is 34 years of age and was born in Liverpool. His maternal grandfather is John Ridge a 68 year old widower born in Ireland. His siblings, all born in Liverpool, are listed as: Edith aged 13, Harriet aged 10, Maria aged 4, Catherine aged 2 and Henrietta aged 9 months.

The 1901 Census finds 17 year old Ernest Jones described as a plumber living with his widowed father and six sisters at 16 Premier Street, Everton, Liverpool. His father is now aged 45, still a caoch builder and advises that he was born in Armagh, Ireland. His sisters are listed as; Edith a 23 year old dressmaker, Gertrude aged 20, Maria aged 14, Catherine aged 12, Henrietta aged 10 and Lily aged 8.   
On 1st June 1905 Ernest married 21 year old Ethel Sewart in St George's Church, Everton. Ernest was described as a 21 year old tram conductor of 13 Grecian Terrace, Everton, Liverpool. 

The 1911 Census finds Ernest living with his wife, two children and one sister at 8 Edensor Terrace, Everton, Liverpool. He is now 27 years of age and works as a tramway driver for Liverpool Corporation, his wife Ethel is 27 also and was born in Liverpool. Their two children are listed as Clement Ernest aged 4 and Ethel Geretrude aged 2. They advise that they have been married for 5 years and have had 4 children, two of whom had sadly died. His sister Marie Jones aged 24 is living with them, she is employed as a box maker for Ogden's tobacco company.  

His father Clement died in 1913, aged 59.

Ernest enlisted in Liverpool on 02nd February 1915 and posted to the 17th Battalion King's (Liverpool) Regiment (1st Liverpool Pals). 

He was billeted at Prescot Watch Factory, he trained there and also at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 17th 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 crossed to France with his Battalion on board the SS Invicta on 07th November 1915.

On 16th January 1916, William was treated for trench foot at 98 Field ambulance and rejoined his Battalion on 28th January 1916.

He was killed in action with "A" Company on 01st July 1916 at Montauban, aged 32. Most of the men killed in the 17th Battalion on 01st July 1916 are listed as officially as having killed between 01st and 02nd July 1916.

17^th Battalion Diary

3.30 am the Battalion in position in assembly trenches -Battalion frontage from Maricourt – Briqueterie Rd to 100 yards west of Maricourt – Montauban Rd – 1^st wave, 2 platoons of A Company on the right and 2 platoons of B company on the left. 2^nd wave remaining platoons of these companies. 3^rd wave C Company and 4^th wave D Company in parallel trenches at about 100 yards distance. 3^rd Battalion 153^rd French Infantry on our right and 20 KLR on our left. The Battalion’s objective was Dublin Trench from Dublin Redoubt exclusive to a point 400 yards west.

7.30 am – “Zero Hour”. The assault commenced, some shelling but very slight infantry resistance and little machine gun fire encountered, the work of our artillery having been very effective on the German trenches.

8.30 am – the objective was taken at 08.30 am the French on our right gaining their’s at the same hour. Lieutenant-Colonel B C Fairfax and Commandant Le Petit commanding 3^rd Battalion 153^rd Regiment arrived together in Dublin Trench. A and B Companies dug in almost 100 yards south of Dublin Trench which the Germans shelled intermittently all day hardly touching the new trench. Casualties up to 12 noon, Captain E C Torrey commanding C Company, Lt D H Scott commanding A Company and 2^nd Lieutenant P L Wright wounded 100 other ranks. Later in the day the 90^th Brigade took Montauban and the 20^th KLR captured the Briqueterie. Lt Scott died of wounds in a French hospital at Cerisy where Captain Mirascou commanding the left Company of the French also lay wounded. Perfect liaison existed between the French and ourselves the above two officers commanding respectively our right Company and the French left Company being in constant touch. Shortly after the attack commenced the Battalion Headquarters moved to a German dugout in Favieres Support under Briqueterie Road where Commandant Le Petit also established his H.Q. During the remainder of the day there was intermittent bombardment of Dublin and Casement and  Favieres Support trenches. Rations were brought up safely at night. Disposition of the Battalion – 2 Companies in Dublin and 2 in Casement.

The following letter was sent by Private 15699 Alfred John Brown to Ernie's sister Lily, explaining the circumstances :

In Reserve 

Friday 7/7/16               

                                   
My ever darling Lily,

It falls to my lot dear little girl to confirm the sad news you will have received of
your dear brother’s death in action. I will endeavour to give you the facts as far as possible from 
the time we started to attack. We went over the top @ 7.30am last Saturday & during the advance 
Ernie got a slight shrapnel wound in the leg & was sent back by an officer to the Dressing Station.
I saw him twice on the way back & I showed him your recent photo & he said it was fine of you
The next time I saw him he was still in our lines making his way back to the German trenches we 
had captured and were holding, as he had been ordered to rejoin his Battn his wound being slight. 
During my search of the Battlefield for wounded, I came across him & he had been killed along
with two others by a shell. I could see no other wounds on him & he had been evidently killed by 
shock. I did my best for him dearest & the Sgt Major & I buried him with a little wooden cross over 
him on the spot where he so nobly fell & there he is on the field of honour & glory & no one can
say but that he did his duty bravely & died like a man fighting for the dear old flag & England.

I have been very upset since because as you know Ernie & I were the best of pals 
out here & I shall miss him very much.

I tender you all dearest my deepest sympathy in your sad loss & I pray that time will 
heal the wound in your hearts, because I know you thought such a lot of him & he was always 
such a kind & loving husband. There is one consolation darling, you know he faced dangers 
bravely, & was ready to do his duty while others were cringing & trying to evade the ordeal. May 
God receive him into his keeping, as he did his best & died like a hero.

I received your letter dearest of the 24 June photo enclosed, just before we went in 
the trenches on the advance & I had no time to send you a reply before we went in so I hope you 
will forgive me. I trust dear you have received a letter from me by now as regards what I went 
through. I need not go into any details because you will not like to hear them in your distress, but 
suffice to say darling I had a rough time, but still we all did our best for the boys & were special
commended for our good work. We are now under orders to go up to the line again so will write 
you as soon as I can. Glad to say that I am still in the best of health & spirits & trust my darling girl 
is the same. Kindest regards to all & my fondest & best love to my dearest. God bless & comfort 
you all.

Yours always 
Alf

From the above letter it appears that Ernest's body was subsequently lost as he now has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.

The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916. 

On 01st August 1932 the Prince of Wales and the President of France inaugurated the Thiepval Memorial in Picardy. The inscription reads: “Here are recorded the names of officers and men of the British Armies who fell on the Somme battlefields between July 1915 and March 1918 but to whom the fortune of war denied the known and honoured burial given to their comrades in death.

He was remembered by his family on the first anniversary of his death in the Liverpool Echo on 02nd July 1917:

JONES - In loving memory of our dear brother, William Ernest Jones ("Our Ernie"), 17th K.L.R., killed in action, July 1, 1916.

Worthy of everlasting love

From those he left behind;

A better brother never lived,

Or one so true and kind.

- Fondly remembered by his Sisters Edie, Cissie, Ettie, Lily and Annie, 25 St Albans.

JONES - In loving memory of Private E. Jones (Ernie), K.L.R. (Pals), killed in action, July 1, 1916.

- His sincere friend R. E. Morgan, 42 Luton Grove, Walton.

JONES -  In ever loving memory of my dearly beloved husband, William Ernest Jones, of the 17th K.L.R., killed in action, July 1, 1916.

When alone in sorrow, and bitter tears flow,

There stealeth dreams of our sweet long ago,

Unknown to the world he stands by my side,

And whispers "Dear Eth, death cannot divide."

We cannot forget you !  We loved you too dearly

For your memory to fade from our hearts like a dream.

Lips need not speak with the heart mourns sincerely,

And thoughts often dwell when they seldom are seen.

- Never forgotten by his sorrowing Wife and Children, Clements, Ethel, Allan of 8 Edensor Terrace.

JONES - In loving memory of my dear brother, Ernest Jones, 17th K.L.R., killed in action, July 1, 1916.

Sleep on dear Ern, and a soldier's grave,

Your life for your country you nobly gave.

- sadly missed by his Sister Marie and brother-in-law, Willie Walker, 21 Feltwell Road.

JONES - In ever loving memory of my darling brother Ernie, 17th K.L.R., who was killed in action, July 1, 1916.

One of the best that God could lend,

A loving brother and a faithful friend (Always in my thoughts).

- His sister Gertie, 25 St Albans.

Soldier Effects and Pension to widow Ethel and children Clement Ernest, Ethel Gertrude and Allan Ridge. His personal diary was inadvertently sent to the parents of Roderic Dexter Sharpe who was also killed with 'A' Company of the 17th Battalion on 01st July 1916. The diary was subsequently returned to Ernest's family.

Widow Ethel, 8 Edensor Terrace died 17th February 1951, probate to Clement Ernest Jones joiner, and Ethel Getrude Eccleston, married woman.

William Ernest Jones is commemorated in the Hall of Remembrance in Liverpool Town Hall at Panel 66. 

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

Grateful thanks are extended to Piers Nimmo for permission to use the photograph of Ernest now shown on this site. Piers' grandfather, Alfred John Brown was the writer of the letter of 7/7/16 and his grandmother was Lily, the sister of Ernest Jones.