John William JONES [80]

  General Notes:

John enlisted in WW1 IN March 1915 at Flemington, Victoria where he was appointed to the 24th Battalion transport. His regimental number was 32. He embarked from Australia in May 1915 on the Euripides. He was transferred to the Imperial Camel Corps on 31 January 1916 and was stationed at the Suez Canal at Abbassial. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 24 February 1916. His war records show he was killed in action in El Ferdan, Magebra, Sinai on 6 August 1916, however, I have been unable to find this location on a map. It appears that John's body was never located and his name appears on the memorial section of the Jerusalem Cemetery.

From the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website:-
Jones John William,
Lance Corporal
service no 32
date of death 6/8/1916
age 24
Australian Infantry AIF 24th Bn
Panel Ref: 60
Memorial: Jerusalem Memorial
Son of Helena Hartwell (formerly Jones), of Swan Hill, Victoria, Australia, and the late John E. Jones. Native of Mystic Park, Victoria

The Jerusalem Memorial stands in Jerusalem War Cemetery, 4.5 kilometres north of the walled city and is situated on the neck of land at the north end of the Mount of Olives, to the west of Mount Scopus. The cemetery is found on Churchill Blvd, sandwiched between Hadassah Hospital and the Hyatt Hotel. An Australian Memorial is opposite the cemetery entrance.

It would appear that John had fallen out with his mother before he left Australia but he had nominated her as his next of kin. John appears to have been living at Paika Station, Balranald, where his sister Mary Helen Davis lived. He had allotted his pay to his sister, who claimed it for some time from the Balranald Post Office, however, his mother wrote to the war office in July 1915 and requested that the money be allocated to her as she was a struggling widow. In that letter she advised that her son had been to Swan Hill in April and had seen her at a fete but had ignored her. After John's death many letters went to the War Office from Mary Helen Davis and Helen Jones - Hartwell both claiming they were next of kin and claiming John's money and goods. It would seem that John's mother ended up with his possessions and his medals despite his sisters requests.

More information about John can be found on the Australian Military History of the 20th Century (Desert Column) website:-
http://alh-research.tripod.com/Light_Horse/index.blog/1954293/icc-aif-roll-of-honour-john-william-jones/

Swan Hill Guardian and Lake Boga Advocate (Vic. : 1914 - 1918) Mon 6 Aug 1917 Page 2 Family Notices
IN MEMORIAM
JONES.-In loving remembrance of my dear son and our dear brother, Corporal John William Jones, who was killed in action in France on 6th August, 1916.
Often my heart does wander
To a spot so far away,
Where my darling loved one is laid
Just a year ago to-day.
So deeply missed by his loving mother.
-Inserted by his loving mother, Helen Hartwell, and sisters and brother.

JONES. -In loving remembrance of my dear brother, Corporal J. W. Jones, who was killed in action somewhere in France on 6th August, 1916.
His King and country called him,
The call was not in vain;
On Australia's roll of honor
You'll find our brave Jack's name.
I do not forget him, nor do I intend,
I think of him dearly, and will to the end;
One year has passed. still fresh in my mind,
Is my dear brother, so true and so kind.
Out of memory I shall not blot
Those three little words, Forget me not,
-Inserted by his loving sister and brother-in-law, Florrie and James Attrill, Yanga, N.S.W

Swan Hill Guardian and Lake Boga Advocate (Vic. : 1914 - 1918) Thu 9 Aug 1917 Page 2 Family Notices
IN MEMORIAM
JONES.-In loving remembrance of my dear son and step-son, Corporal J. W. Jones, who was killed in action in France on 6th August, 1916.
Thou art not forgotten, Jack,
Nor wilt thou ever be;
As long as life and memory last,
We will remember thee.
Forth to the battle he hastened,
With many a comrade brave;
Who, eager and strong, like our loved one,
Now sleeps in a soldier's grave.
-Inserted by his sorrowing mother and step-father, Fredrick and Helen Hartwell.

Swan Hill Guardian and Lake Boga Advocate (Vic. : 1914 - 1918) Mon 5 Aug 1918 Page 2 Family Notices
IN MEMORIAM
JONES-In loving memory of my dear son, Lance-corporal Jones, who was killed in action in France on 6th August, 1916.
I can always see his sweet dear face
Through a mist of anxious tears;
But a mother's part is a broken heart
Through many a lonely year.
-Inserted by his loving mother, Helen Hartwell, also his loving brothers and sisters, Thomas, Arthur and Norman Jones, and May Eades, T. Eades, H. Lucas and J. Lucas.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Military: World War 1 SERN 32, 1914-1918.