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William Jones (1882-1971)


Jarrow born man served in the Army and the Royal Flying Corps


William Jones was born in Jarrow in 1882. William’s father was Joseph Jones who was a riveter in a ship yard. At the time of the 1891 census William was living with his parents and five siblings in South Shields. In civilian life he had become a blacksmith, according to his air force records (TNA, AIR 79)

He joined the army in November 1900 and at the time of the 1901 census he was living in Brompton Barracks in Kent where he was in the Royal Engineers. William was transferred to the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) on 13 May 1912. In the early days of the air forces, blacksmiths seem to have been in much demand. Airplanes were still a relatively new technology and men from existing crafts such as tailors, pit fitters and blacksmiths were needed to maintain the machines.

William was married on 31 October 1914 in Wimbledon, London

Although William originally joined the colours for 12 years, he reengaged to serve 21 years soon after he transferred to the RFC. He became part of the Royal Air Force (RAF) on its formation in April 1918 and continued to serve in the RAF until he was discharged on 11 November 1921.

His air force record at the National Archives (AIR 79) records where he served at the end and immediately after the war: on 1 April 1918 he was transferred to 148 Squadron (created barely two months before), based at Andover. In August 1919 he moved on to 61 Training Squadron which seems to have been in South Carlton, Lincolnshire. From there he was transferred to 10 Airplane Acceptance Park (probably Brooklands, Surrey) and then on to 24 Squadron, Henley on 27 March 1920. The last RAF base that he served at seems to have been RAF Manston in Kent.

Civil Parish: Jarrow

Birth date: 26-Mar-1882

Death date: 20-Apr-1971

Armed force/civilian: Air Force

Residence: Drury Lane, South Shields, County Durham (1891 census)
Brompton Barracks, Kent (1901 census)
1 High Street, Manston, Kent (Contact address for Wife and address on discharge) (TNA AIR 79 personnel records)

Religion: Church of England

Employment: Blacksmith

Family: Parents: Joseph Jones (42), Mary Jones (34)
Siblings: Mary Jones (10), Elizabeth Jones (5), Annie Jones (4), Margaret Jones (2), Sarah Jones (3 months) (1891 census)
Wife: Edith Hannah Jones

Military service:

Entered into army on 12 November 1900
Transferred to RFC 13 May 1912
Service number 30
Promoted to Sergeant, 13 May 1912
Flight Sergeant , 15 September 1914
Acting warrant officer, 1 June 1916
Sergeant major (temporary), 2 May 1917
Transferred to Royal Air Force on its creation
Reclassified sergeant major instructor, 1 January 1919
Remustered sergeant major instructor blacksmith, 1 August 1919
Acting Master Warrant Officer

Gender: Male

Contributed by Fiona Johnson, Durham

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