Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Grave: | Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery | XVIII. A. 5. | |
| 2. Book: | The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918 | Pg.124 | |
| 3. Memorial: | The (1940) Scroll - WW1 Roll of Honour | 30C GQS | |
Awards & Titles: | Military Cross British War Medal Victory Medal | ||
Family :
Son of William and Margaret Jones, of 97, Christchurch St., Ipswich.Education & Career :
Educated University of Wales; B.A. with hons. in history 1907; M.A. 1909.
He was a Schoolmaster at City of Norwich School living at Colman Road, Norwich and at Middle Whitgift School, Croydon and later at Middle Whitgift School, Croydon Joined Inns of Court O.T.C., 1914. The Army List of 1916 shows that he joined the Inns of Court Officers Training Corps on the 1st April 1915 as Private 3163 serving in No. 1 Company of the East Surrey Regiment. He was commissioned in the East Surrey Regiment, 10th July 1917, subsequently serving with the 7th London Regiment.
Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: 7th Battalion London Regiment |
1/7th (City of London) Battalion August 1914 : at Finsbury Square. Record same as 1/6th Bn. Part of 2nd London Brigade, 1st London Division. Moved on mobilisation to Bisley, going on in September to Crowborough. 5 November 1914 : moved to Watford and transferred to 4th London Brigade in 2nd London Division. 18 March 1915 : landed at Le Havre. 11 May 1915 : formation renamed 140th Brigade in 47th (2nd London) Division. 31 January 1918 : transferred to 174th Brigade in 58th (2/1st London) Division 2 February 1918 : transferred to 174th Brigade in 58th (2/1st London) Division, absorbed the disbanded 2/7th Bn and renamed 7th Bn. |
| Action : The Battle of Amiens and associated actions |
8 August - 17 August 1918. This was the battle that turned the tide of the German advance and started the Allied advances that were to culminate in the Armistice three months later. The impact of the defeat at Amiens on German morale cannot be overstated ? they had done all they could yet still the allies, particularly with US troops starting to be deployed to effect, had absorbed everything and were still capable of attacking and beating them.
He was promoted to the Rank of Temporary Lieutenant (London Gazette 28th February 1916 page 2206).
He was killed in action at Chipilly Ridge, near Albert on the 9th August 1918 (Some records record his death as 9th March 1918). He was killed in action at Chipilly Ridge, near Albert on the 9th August 1918 (Some records record his death as 9th March 1918) aged 31.
Croydon and the War: Commemorated on the Croydon Roll of Honour.
Mid-Whitgiftian: Volume 5. March 1919. No. 2:
"Captain Percival Halley Jones, Military Cross, was killed in action in the assault on Chipilly Ridge, south of Albert, where the Germans, made their strongest resistance on August the 8th and 9th, 1918. The late officer was for four years a most popular Master at the Whitgift Middle School. He was a scholar of the University of Wales, graduating B.A. with honours in history in 1907, and gaining his M.A. by research work in 1909. 29 Before he joined the staff of the Whitgift Middle School he was a Master at the City of Norwich School. Shortly after the outbreak of war he joined the Inns of Court O.T.C., was gazetted to the East Surrey Regiment, but afterwards transferred to a London Regiment. He gained his M.C. by a daring piece of reconnaissance work, and he received the decoration at the hands of the King in July, 1917. Concerning his gallant end his Colonel writes:—"He led his company most gallantly on the 8th inst., and was in charge of the troops who remained holding the position won. It was whilst leading his men forward to a further assault on the next day, under heavy machine-gun fire, that he was mortally wounded by a shell fragment. Even after he fell he continued to encourage his men and to wave them on to the assault. He was a most gallant officer and the type of man we can ill afford to lose. He died a true soldier's death." Captain Halley Jones, when home on leave in the early part of 1918, visited the Whitgift Middle School and had a chat with the boys. "
Citations & Commemorations :
He was awarded the Military Cross, bestowed by the King, July 1917 shown in the London Gazette 17th December 1917 Page 13182. The Citation in the London Gazette 23rd April 1918 page 4870 states:"Lt. (A.Capt) Percival Halley-Jones, Lond. R. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He personally reconnoitered the sector to which his company had been guided, and discovered that an important position, which was reported to be held by us, was actually in the hands of the enemy. He then took steps to safeguard his flank. This reconnaissance was made on a dark night under most difficult conditions. It was owing to this officer's report, and to that of another officer sent out by him, that a serious situation in a contemplated operation was avoided."
For his service he was awarded the British War and Victory Medal.
Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | Lodge of Perseverance No. 213 E.C. | Norfolk |
| Joined : | Claremont No. 1861 E.C. | Surrey |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
15th November 1910 | 20th December 1910 | 21st February 1911 |
He was Initiated on the 15th November 1910 into the Lodge of Perseverance No 213, aged 24; Passed 20th December 1910 and Raised on the 21st February 1911. Joining Member of Claremont Lodge No 1861 in the Province of Surrey on the 23rd February 1914, from Lodge No. 213 Schoolmaster.
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley