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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: tick_tock on Sunday 29 October 06 14:59 GMT (UK)
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Windsor Jones son of John and Elizabeth, birth registered Jan-Mar 1899. Surviving family member says he 'died in the war'. I am trying to find out which regiment and what happened. He was born in Canton in Cardiff, Wales and I guess enlisted their.
All I have is a photo (which I can post if it helps identify him) taken at Kimnal Camp, North Wales (No date).
I have tried all the usual sites and archives - only to find a WW1 solider of that name but the age given would have made my Windsor the wrong age (15 at the time of being posted - viewed medal card and war graves site for this man.
I did try some WW2 look ups but still no luck.
If anyone can help me I would be very grateful.
Regards
Louise
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Hi Louise,
There are plenty of soldiers listed on the usual sites as W. Jones.
The photo might be useful, especially if it shows any detail that would help identify his regiment.
Neil
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pte w.jones
died 20-11-17
8th welsh regt [pioneers]
33759
buried in baghdad[north gate]war cemetery
grave ref III.J.7
his name was windsor
mack
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Hi, yes the above was the soldier I found and first thought it was my Windsor - but I found this man's medal card that said he went out to Mesopotamia in 1915. Mine was only born 1899 so that would have made him 16 years of age so I decided this couldn't be him. There was another Windsor Jones in the Canton area same as my windsor but 9 years older and I think this is him - that is why I am now at a loss as to where to look.
Here is a photo to help.
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louise,there were thousands of soldiers at gallipoli who were aged 18 or under,the lad in the picture only looks about 17/18 mack
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Hi, if this was the last photo of him, he would be 15-16 years old or younger (The one I found was sent out in 1915 to Mes.).
Were people really that young (or lied) when they signed on - would they have supplied any proof of age? 17/18 I can understand but 15?
Sorry for sounding rather negative - I just want to try my best to make sure I have the right man.
The man I found had a Victory and 15 Star Medal - does this give any clues?
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Looking at the photo, what does the number "59" on his cap mean?
Not seen that before myself. Anyone enlighten me?
Neil
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neil its one of the temp make do badges,they sometimes used a button or had other temp badges made up till they had enough proper ones made.
louise,two brothers in my hometown regt the manchesters fought on gallipoli,little alfie was 14 when he sailed with his battalion,his brother was 15,there were at least 50+who were 15 years old and a couple of hundred aged between 16-18,you didnt need proof to enlist,if you were already serving when the war started and you were underage,then you needed permission from the colonel to go abroad on active service,59 is the number of the 2nd battalion east lancs regt,mack
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Hi Mack,
I knew they sometimes used buttons as temp badges, but not come across other variations before.
interesting stuff!
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2/East Lancs. Regt. was on Western Front in 24th Brigade, 23 Infantry Division, later 8th Infantry Division. Anyway, I don't think this is right. The British Army was very territorial then. Better to look for a Welsh unit.
Roger
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The Windosr I found (same as Mack looked up who also had cemetery details) - so the 59 is that a reference to the Welsh Regisment 8th Battalion?
Regiment, Corps etc: Welsh Regiment
Battalion/etc: 8th Battalion.
Surname: Jones
Christian Name: Windsor
Initials W
Born: Cardiff
Enlisted: Cardiff
Residence:
Rank: PRIVATE
Number 33759
Died Date 20/11/1917
Died How: Died
Theatre of War: Mesopotamia
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the insignia under the 59 looks like a rose to me,i would post this on the great war forum and let my mates look at it,i agree with neil,i havent seen a badge like this before,mack