William's Story.
Birkenhead News 09 August 1916Buried Beneath Earth.
Rock Ferry Soldier’s Fate.
Private Wm. Henry Jones, of the 11th Cheshires, “A”, Company, and son of Mr. and Mrs. Jones, 12 Osmond Street, off Meadow Lane, Rock Ferry, was killed in action on or about 13th July.
In a letter to his parents, an officer writes, in reply to inquiries :- “I regret to say that on or about 13th July the explosion of an enemy high explosive shell completely buried seven of my company with many cwts. of earth. Immediately I organised a rescue party, and our labours were rewarded with the saving of six men but the seventh – your son – was unfortunately crushed to death, probably instantaneously. It has been a great blow to the regiment to lose so many of its good soldiers, and very hard for us to part with fine fellows like your son, of whom we were very fond and proud. All my heartfelt sympathy goes out to you, dear lady. I myself have a mother, and I know what she would feel were I also to go under.”
Pte. Jones was 28 years of age, and before enlisting on the 4th January, 1915, was employed at Price’s Candle Works for 15 years. He was in France for eleven months, and did not in that time receive a pass for home.