James Andrew Jones (1879-1918)
Former band boy with 2nd DLI rose through the ranks awarded the DSO
Nothing is known of the family of James Andrew Jones, born on 20 June 1879. in 1896 he enlisted as a band boy in the 2nd battalion Durham Light Infantry (DLI) and rose swiftly through the ranks, becoming a colour-sergeant of musketry. Between 1896 and 1898 James served during the Sudan Campaign and by the outbreak of war he had been promoted to company sergeant-major.
James landed in France on 8 September 1914 and, a month later, was commissioned in the field to 2nd lieutenant. In May 1915 he was promoted to lieutenant and later appointed temporary captain. In June 1916, while again a temporary captain, he was mentioned in despatches and won the Military Cross. In 1917 he was appointed acting major, attached to service battalions, firstly of the Shropshire Light Infantry and then of the Bedford Regiment. He then returned to the Durham Light Infantry and was appointed acting major from 24 March to 6 June and, on 23 July, temporary major in the 19th Battalion. In September he was involved in the capture of Zandvoorde and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO). On 1 October he was attached to the Lancashire Fusiliers as acting lieutenant-colonel in command of the 17th battalion and two weeks later died of wounds. He is buried in the Hooge Crater cemetery near Zillabeke in Belgium.
His award of the DSO was gazetted on 15 February 1919 and the citation reads:
“He commanded his battalion with conspicuous success during a most difficult operation, involving the capture of Zandvoorde on 28 September 1918. By his behaviour under heavy machine-gun fire at close range, he set a splendid example to the officers and men of his battalion at a very critical period of the attack. All ranks were unanimous in praising his coolness and courage”.
Birth date: 20-Jun-1879
Death date: 14-Oct-1918
Armed force/civilian: Army
Family: Next of kin: Agnes O’Donnell
Military service:
2nd & 19th Battalions Durham Light Infantry
Regimental number: 5617
Attached to Bedford & Norfolk Regiments, Shropshire Light Infantry and Lancashire Fusiliers
Acting Lieutenant-Colonel
Medal(s): Distinguished Service Order
Military Cross
Mentioned in Despatches (2)
Queen’s Sudan Medal
1914-1915 Star & Clasp
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Memorial(s): Durham Cathedral D.L.I. Book of Remembrance
Hooge Crater Cemetery, near Zillabeke, Belgium
Gender: Male
Contributed by John Edwards