A must-have for military historians, enthusiasts, academics, students, scholars and those interested in the First World War Here was I playing a lone hand, for it looked so comical to see them all with their hands up - over a hundred of ‘em - hoping against hope that Private Jones, Kamarad, wouldn’t shoot. This omission is a telling point. It is doubtful that 'any' reporter would have been unaware of this fact, the plight of a motherless child. These circumstances also scotch completely, alledged reports that a child born in South Africa was 'sent to relatives in Wales after his birth in South Africa '. Firstly, a child under a certain age would have been too young to travel, and also raises the question of who cared for the child when 593 rejoined his regiment, which was immediately after he had buried the remains of his wife. Then again, who indeed, made the travel arrangements for the child to return to Wales ? Travel records from around this period are non-existent so there are no means of validation available to confirm the child's return to the UK . The place of sanctuary for the Frodsham family and William Jones VC, may have been the house of Elizabeth Frodsham's, now married daughter, Emily Goodwin, who was born 4th November 1868.Emily, despite that her birth certificate states that it was Charles Frodsham who was her natural father, would later be quoted as 'the daughter of 593 Pte William Jones VC' and it is ironic that this possible first port of call in Manchester, the Goodwin household, was the household that William Jones VC would die in. The move to Manchester may have been the start of a new life for the Frodsham's and William Jones, that would develop into a family-style relationship that would later include the marriage of Elizabeth Frodsham and William Jones .As William was a Wesleyan Methodist, a reasonably strict religion, and that he was a 'steady-plodding fellow' as stated on his service records, he may have grown close to Elizabeth and her family as a result of his lodger status in the household. The family and Jones may have been through a good deal of turmoil together and these trails would have created a natural bond between these individuals that would have formed the foundations for a later relationship. What is apparent, is that at some stage between the 1891 and 1901 censuses, the persons Elizabeth Frodsham, Albert Ulundi Frodsham and his sister Elizabeth Frodsham, all collectively, changed their names by a process known at that time as common deed, to the name of Jones. It is important to take into consideration, that before the year of 1927,that there was no legal, formal procedure of adoption available to an adult and child, and that 'fostering' as it was known at the time, was the only option available, before the start date of 1927.Fostering, was a 'private arrangement between the individuals concerned' and also worth a mention is that before 1903,name changes could be applied by 'any person' to 'any name of their choice' without the need to embark upon a formal process of name change. The only 'official' means of name-change available to an individual before the start date of 1903,when a less complicated means was commenced, was to change your name by invoking an Act of Parliament or by Royal Licence; a complex and costly procedure that was beyond the means of most ordinary working-class people.

It would be of interest to ascertain just why Charles and Elizabeth gave their son Albert Frodsham the middle name of 'Ulundi'. Neither 593 Pte William Jones nor Charles Frodsham was present at this battle. One possible reason is that the normal Jones saturnine sense of humour, was underwritten in William Jones VC by a dramatic element that would later see our steady-plodder appear on stage in Buffalo Bill's Wild-West Show, and perhaps Jones was able to narrate the tales of his actions in South Africa with such precision that he impressed the Frodshams enough so that they gave their last-born son this unique middle-name. Another simile is that the writers of this article have found one Edward ' Durban ' Jones on the GRO birth indexes in their searches, this child being born to Edward and Phoebe Margaret Jones (formerly Jones) on 18th November 1899, registered in Denbigh, North Wales . Could the reason that this child had been given the middle name ' Durban ' also suggest a link with South Africa , and that there was a minor trend at work throughout the Anglo-Zulu War period, where children born around this time were given middle names of battles and places associated with these campaigns? Louise Nulty, Victoria Park Environment Team vice chair, said volunteers have worked hard to keep the butterfly house as a feature when it opens during summer.He was 35 years old when on 25 September 1916, during the Battle of Morval, Jones performed an act of bravery for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. He was with his company covering the advance in front of a village, when he noticed an enemy sniper 200 yards (183m) away. He left his trench on his own, and crossed no man's land without covering fire. Although one bullet went through his helmet and another through his coat, he returned the sniper's fire and killed him. Near the enemy trench, he saw two more Germans firing on him while simultaneously displaying a white flag. Jones shot them both. Upon reaching the enemy trench, he found several occupied dug-outs and single-handedly disarmed 102Germans. Three or four were officers, and the entire trench was taken by Jones and his comrades. [2] [3] It’s not that I want to brag, but I didn’t turn a hair; I just kept my head-piece going. I told them it would be a very cold night at the place where they were going to, and suggested they had better get their great-coats. I graciously permitted them to fetch them “two at a time, and no rushing.” They ran and came in and out, and each time they passed me they saluted me, Private Jones! - and I sent them to their places. I didn’t like the look of one “bloke” and kept half an eye on him. “I think I’ll shoot that chap,” I said to the interpreter. On 25 September 1916 in a fit of rage, ‘Todger’ had gone over the top alone during the Battle of Morval on the Somme. He was last seen by his friends leaping into an enemy trench and it was assumed that he was dead. But, to the astonishment of his comrades, Todger returned with over 100 prisoners.

BBC reported 32 VC recipients who also won DCM. However, they previously put this figure at 19. Both were quotes from the auctioneer. Does anyone know of a resource that easily identifies the dual winners?He was also in the Territorials and won various awards for his Marksmanship. (including the Territorial Efficiency Medal) Although we don't know the location of Elizabeth Jones's burial place, we will now deal with the topic of the alleged reports that a son was born to 593 Pte William Jones and his wife Elizabeth Jones, nee Goddard. William Jones, who we shall now refer to as 593 junior, was born to 593 Pte William Jones and his wife Elizabeth on the 18th November 1876,at Western Heights , Hougham, Dover , County of Kent . The details of the birth are as follows: Name of father- William Jones; Name and maiden name of mother-Elizabeth Jones, formerly Goddard; Occupation of father-Private 24th Regiment; Signature, description and residence of informant-Wm (as written) Jones, father, Western Heights , Hougham; when registered-9th December 1876.The name of the registrar is unreadable. Christmas Truce by the Men Who Took Part: Letters from the 1914 Ceasefire on the Western Frontis the largest collection ever drawn together of letters sent home by the officers and soldiers who laid down their guns and shook hands with their foes. Last night, reading the history of the Cheshire Regiment, I came across reference to "Todger" Jones and enjoyed reading his CV citation. It states:- The Christmas Truce of 1914 remains a moment of enduring fascination more than a century after the day the First World War guns fell silent. Now for the first time, hundreds of first-person accounts of this most extraordinary period of history have been gathered together telling the story in their own words of the soldiers who met in peace in No Man’s Land.

I got the five of them. I stalked through the trench, storming and shouting and hearing the firing and the commotion, the rest of the crowd bolted in the dug-outs. Soon they had all gone to earth and I was there alone. When they got into their dug-outs I had them. They were shouting and screeching, and every time I saw a movement I let fly. Such was the special relationship that formed between William Jones VC and his new family, that Albert Ulundi Frodsham, later Jones, would list his father as 'William Jones VC, pensioner', on his marriage certificate, and father a son, also called Albert Ulundi Jones, born 1904.Albert Ulundi Frodsham would die under the name Albert Ulundi Jones. Elizabeth Frodsham, born 1883,later Jones, would use her 'Jones' name when she married and became Barlow. Elizabeth Barlow, as a lady in her early eighties, would carry out work of the highest calibre on behalf of William Jones VC when she toured Lancashire and Yorkshire to promote the film Zulu; she was guest of honour at the film's premier in Manchester . Also worth a mention is the work carried out by a descendant of Emily Goodwin's to replace the vandalized urn that rested on William Jones VC's grave. He had captured them single-handed. ‘Todger’ arrived in France with the Cheshire Regiment in January 1915. As a marksman, scout and skilled bomber, ‘Todger’ had many extraordinary encounters and in addition to his VC, also earned the DCM for a further act of remarkable gallantry. smallDescription] The Christmas Truce of 1914 remains a moment of enduring fascination more than a century after the day the First World War guns fell silent.

VCs of 1915

He was born at Chester Street in Edinburgh [2] the son of Charles Digby Jones (1826–1911) and his wife, Aimee Susanna Christie. He was educated at Alnmouth and then Sedbergh School. [3] In 1894 he was sent to the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich and trained as an officer in the Royal Engineers. He is recorded as a keen and popular sportsman, both in golf and rugby. [4] Robert James Thomas Digby-Jones (27 September 1876 – 6 January 1900) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, [1] the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

A previous post was asking if there was a Welsh connection. In a word - Yes. - His Father was a Lead Miner in Flintshire;and they later moved to Runcorn. A total of 21 Victoria Cross recipients headstones or memorials have been cleaned during the period 23 April 2021 to 14 October 2021. In addition, a significant number of headstones or memorials with military connections, have been cleaned while working in these cemeteries. Events & VolunteersOn 25 September 1916, during the Battle of Morval, Jones performed an act of bravery for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. He was with his company covering the advance in front of a village, when he noticed an enemy sniper 200 yards (183 m) away. He left his trench on his own, and crossed no man's land without covering fire. Although one bullet went through his helmet and another through his coat, he returned the sniper's fire and killed him. Near the enemy trench, he saw two more Germans firing on him while simultaneously displaying a white flag. Jones shot them both. Upon reaching the enemy trench, he found several occupied dug-outs and single-handedly disarmed 102 Germans. Three or four were officers, and the entire trench was taken by Jones and his comrades. [1] [2]