WWI stories for a BBC Wales documentary

[CarolynD]

Hello.
I’m working on a BBC Wales series called ‘Welsh Towns at War’, presented by Eddie Butler. I’m researching for the Porthmadog programme, and am looking for stories about soldiers and their families, and those who worked on the Home Front in or around Porthmadog (including Criccieth and Blaenau Ffestiniog) during WWI. We’d also like to find some people who can tell us these stories – perhaps their descendants?

I have been in contact with General Riley and Shirley Williams, and their colleague suggested that I might find some great ideas on this forum.

One story that I've come across is that of Private Edward O. Jones of the 1/6th Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Someone sent us a clipping from (I believe) the Cambrian News saying that Private Jones was “one of the last two of the sixty-two territorials from Porthmadoc to hold out in Gallipoli, the remaining sixty being overtaken by casualties or sickness”. Can anyone tell me more about the soldiers from Porthmadog mentioned in the article, or possibly even about Private Jones himself? The article also says he wrote many letters – it would be great to see these.

Any photos, suggestions, contacts etc relating to this or any other WWI story would be welcome.

The series will be broadcast in the autumn to commemorate the centenary of the start of the war.
Many thanks
Carolyn

[ap1]

A warm welcome Carolyn, hopefully some of our researchers may be able to assist you.

[Clive Hughes]

There are 4 Edward O. Jones shown on the RWF Medal Index Cards, but only one of them as serving abroad before 1916. This was Private 866 who reached the "Balkans" (read Gallipoli) on 1 August 1915. He was later transferred to the Royal Engineers as no.449868, and Disembodied (i.e. demobilized) on 11 August 1919. He earned the three war medals, but as these were issued off the REs Roll that is where any battalion information would be found.

Very likely a 1/6th Battalion RWF man if he was from Porthmadog. He isn't on the list of casualties reported to the County Territorial Association by 21 October 1915, but as they weren't evacuated from Suvla till December that would have got substantially longer. If he managed to avoid being shot by the Turks, the endemic dysentery, and the exposure/frostbite cases following the dreadful November storm, he would indeed have been a lucky man!

[Hywyn]

Following on from Clives' identification of the only possible Edward O Jones I can confirm that 866 Edward Owen Jones was from 118 High Street, Porthmadoc. He was a pre war Territorial man having enlisted May/Jun 1911.

Here's the clip you mention (with a photo). It confirms he was 1st 6th Battalion

http://cymru1914.org/en/view/newspaper/3413142/2/ART22

This clip mentions when he was on a ship that was torpedoed
http://cymru1914.org/en/view/newspaper/3413609/6/ART84
( I can't yet positively identify W J Williams)

I find that Welsh Papers dataset is not currently search friendly and therefore haven't exhausted a search for his letters.

Here's one of his Gallipoli letters (colum 3rd from right)
http://cymru1914.org/en/view/newspaper/3413124/4/ART60

Here's one from Syria in Feb 1919 (bottom 1st column)
http://cymru1914.org/en/view/newspaper/3414593/6/ART81

The date range suggest he was a prolific writer!

These were found using search terms
jones AND "manchester house" AND portmadoc

in the Cambrian News dataset only. There might be more in the other papers.
There was return of 58 (below). I haven't gone through them all. Neither have I tried other variations, spelling etc.

http://cymru1914.org/en/search?filte...+AND+portmadoc

With regards to the above identified Gallipoli letter. It is possible to identify most of the men named and most of those alluded to (the 68 'local' men) in both military and address term etc . This however would entail many hours of piecing together bits from various sources. Feasable maybe for a local book but for a few seconds of a tv programme...........?

Hywyn Williams

[Hywyn]

Here's the RWF Regimental Records covering Gallipoli. You want pages 9 to 42 or thereabouts

https://archive.org/details/regimentalrecord04dudl

Hywyn

[Hywyn]

Reading my post again I see that I am not showing that Manchester House and 118 High Street are one and the same

This shows it
http://ukplaces.com/printers-general...dog/bear-print

Hywyn

[CarolynD]

Thanks so much for all the information - it's really helpful. I was wondering if you might have any information on the following soldier (e.g. which battle he died in):

Lance Corporal William Jones of Church Street, Porthmadog. He died on August 11 1915 in Turkey. He was aged 26 and was in the 1/6^th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers. This information is from his grave stone (in Porthmadog). I've looked on cymru1914.org but can't find any further details about him, just a mention in the following clipping which was actually printed after his death:

http://cymru1914.org/en/view/newspaper/3412926/6/ART67/dardanelles%20porthmadoc%20jones

Do you have a service record for him?

Thanks again

Carolyn

[Hywyn]

Carolyn

The only one he can be is this one
http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/ca...NES,%20WILLIAM

The Soldiers Died Great War database states he was born Corwen but he enlisted in Portmadoc. The nlistment date for this number in 6th RWF (Territorials ) is May 1910. Given that Bala was well within the geographical catchment of the 7th Bn it is a fair assumption that William was domicilied in Portmadoc area. Who else is on the gravestone?

For the events of 11th August see the Regimental Records I link in post 5. They only landed a couple of days before.

[Hywyn]

Nil records that I can see.

Here's an item that strengthens the fact that 787 William Jones is the one.

http://cymru1914.org/en/view/newspaper/3413016/6/ART58

An obit for his father Robert Jones in Nov 1915. Is Robert on the gravestone? That should clinch it.

Hywyn

[Swiper]

I recommend you contact Garron Evans for anything you require on Rhondda.

Most of 6 RWF had been embroiled in the health scandal at the start of the war, but I believe other members here will be able to fill that out a bit better for you.

If you touch WW2 then drop me a line as I may be convinced to help...