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Author Topic: Dick Jones  (Read 2005 times)

Offline helsian

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Dick Jones
« on: Sunday 20 December 09 17:41 GMT (UK) »
Does anyone living in Merthyr Tydfil connect with the the name of Dick Jones.  Dick was an old pal of William (Willie) Rees (my uncle) and they both joined up in the First World War. Their regiment was the D.Company, 16 Platoon, Cardiff City Battalion. Sadly, Willie was killed in July 1916 and I believe Dick survived. I would be grateful to hear from anyone connected.

Offline ncwood

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Re: Dick Jones
« Reply #1 on: Thursday 31 December 09 11:00 GMT (UK) »
I am doing some research on the 16th Battalion, The Welsh Regiment and have a Pte 23868 William REES who died at Mametz Wood on 7/7/1916.

There are of course many JONES' but I'm afraid I don't have any Dick or Richard.

If you have any knowledge of a George Richards from the same unit I would be very grateful.

If I can be of any further help, pleasee get back to me.

Nigel

Offline bernard_lewis

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Re: Dick Jones
« Reply #2 on: Friday 01 January 10 22:20 GMT (UK) »
The 16th Welsh battalion was the Cardiff Battalion. It attacked Mametz Wood (with other units) on 7 July 1916 without success but with heavy losses. The commander of the 38th (Welsh) Division (Major Gen Ivor Philipps (note double 'p'!)) was then removed from command folowing what was seen as a lack of 'push' by Sir Douglas Haig.

The wood was attacked again on 10 July 1916 by the Welsh Division and was effectively in British hands by the 12 July. Welsh Division losses were almost 4000 men killed, wounded or missing.

An officer of the Swansea Battalion, speaking 20 years after the war, said 'The Battalion did a great many things during the war but the hardest thing it ever did was attack Mametz Wood'.     

This of a battalion that took part in the Passchendaele offensive (1917) and was in almost constant action from August to November 1918.

Bernard
Author 'Swansea and the Workhouse - the Poor Law in 19th century Swansea' (2003); 'Swansea Pals - the 14th (Service) Battalion, the Welsh Regiment in the Great War' (2004); 'Foul Deeds and Suspicious Deaths Around Swansea''. (2009); 'Swansea in the Great War' ( 2014); 'Neath! Neath! Neath! The Record-Breaking 1988/89 Season' (2016). My blog: https://bernardlewisauthor.wordpress.com/

Offline helsian

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Re: Dick Jones
« Reply #3 on: Thursday 07 January 10 19:40 GMT (UK) »
The 16th Welsh battalion was the Cardiff Battalion
Thank you Bernard for the very interesting information on the above Battalion. I am wondering if there were photographs taken of this Battalion prior to their going to France or was recruitment/sign-up so speedy that there were no photos taken, other than personal ones. I do have a photo of William Rees taken with Dick Jones and in the past I have always thought that it was William on the right in the photo. My cousin thought otherwise which put the doubt in my mind.  Sadly my parents have died and I am no longer able to have this confirmed.  I only hope that someone looking at this site will connect with the Jones family and will respond one day as you did. I appreciate your response.

Wishing you a Happy New Year.

helsian

Offline helsian

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Re: Dick Jones
« Reply #4 on: Thursday 07 January 10 20:40 GMT (UK) »
Hi Nigel: I confirm that the Pte 23868 William REES is my relative. As well as having a photo-card of both William and Dick Jones I can say that the photo was taken in Colwyn Bay in June 1915. I also have a copy of a message written on the postcard dated June 1915 from Dick Jones to a Miss Enid Williams, the young daughter of E A Williams, a dressmaker, who lived on The Avenue, Gwaleodygarth, Merthyr. The postcard was signed 'Uncle Dick'.

Perhaps the above bit of information will help me further to connect to the Jones family and anyone connected like the Williams family.

If I find out anything about your George Richards from the same unit I will let you know. Did George come from Merthyr? I hate these brick walls we are up against - don't you?

Happy New Year.

Helsian


Offline bernard_lewis

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Re: Dick Jones
« Reply #5 on: Thursday 14 January 10 11:39 GMT (UK) »
Though some men may have joined up quickly they would still have spent some time (usually months) in training at home. During this time photos were taken - sometimes group photos, othertimes one or two men so that 'granny' etc. could be sent a photo of her grandson in uniform.

Putting a name to these is usually impossible if they aren't marked on the back or a family member has given the info. My website has a number of group snaps where e.g. 'Uncle Bert is third from the left, front row' but the other 50 chaps are unknown. Sad but that's the way it is, I'm afraid.

Bernard
Author 'Swansea and the Workhouse - the Poor Law in 19th century Swansea' (2003); 'Swansea Pals - the 14th (Service) Battalion, the Welsh Regiment in the Great War' (2004); 'Foul Deeds and Suspicious Deaths Around Swansea''. (2009); 'Swansea in the Great War' ( 2014); 'Neath! Neath! Neath! The Record-Breaking 1988/89 Season' (2016). My blog: https://bernardlewisauthor.wordpress.com/

Offline helsian

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Re: Dick Jones
« Reply #6 on: Friday 15 January 10 17:37 GMT (UK) »
Thank you for responding to my last message. I can only hope that one day I will connect with the Jones family with regard to Willie Rees. as I said, someone out there will possibly have a similar photo in their albums. One day eh!

Thanks again

Helsian

Offline sherpajacob

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Re: Dick Jones
« Reply #7 on: Sunday 29 August 10 20:15 BST (UK) »
My Grandfather George Richards took part in the battle of Mametz Wood

Quote from: ncwood on Thursday 31 December 09 11:00 GMT (UK)
I am doing some research on the 16th Battalion, The Welsh Regiment and have a Pte 23868 William REES who died at Mametz Wood on 7/7/1916.

There are of course many JONES' but I'm afraid I don't have any Dick or Richard.

If you have any knowledge of a George Richards from the same unit I would be very grateful.

If I can be of any further help, pleasee get back to me.

Nigel
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