Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A poignant family group:

Five: Assistant Purser W. N. B. Jones, Merchant Navy
1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45, all unnamed, together with a set of related miniature dress medals, both groups mounted for wearing, good very fine

Pair: Lieutenant T. K. B. Jones, Royal Welsh Fusiliers
1939-45 Star; War Medal 1939-45, M.I.D. oak leaf, unnamed, together with original Army Council condolence slip in the name of ‘Lieutenant T. K. Bonnell-Jones’, extremely fine

Five: Lieutenant D. B. B. Jones, Royal Signals
1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 1st Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, together with original Army Council condolence slip in the name of ‘Lieutenant D. B. B. Jones’, extremely fine (17) £500-600

Ex D.N.W. 1 December 2004.

William Norman Bonnell Jones, the eldest son of W. J. Jones of Gwylfa, Llandaff, was born in October 1914 and joined the Merchant Navy as a Purser’s Clerk in October 1938. Subsequently actively employed throughout the 1939-45 War, his ship appointments comprised the S.S. Strathnaver from September 1939 to February 1940; the Stratheden from March 1940 to February 1942; the Mooltan from February 1942 to April 1944; and the Strathmore from April 1944 to the end of hostilities, by which time he was an Assistant Purser.

Interestingly, an account of the Mooltan’s part in “Operation Torch” survives in a diary kept by one of her merchant seamen, extracts from which appear in John Slader’s The Fourth Service, Merchantmen at War 1939-45. In his entry dated 16 November 1942, the diarist states that Mooltan took on board a large crowd of survivors from at least four vessels that had been lost through enemy action, and that ‘The Purser’s Clerk [the recipient] and I each took a typewriter into the Dining Saloon and the survivors filed past in two columns, so that we could record their particulars and deposit typed lists of all on board with the Naval authorities at Gibraltar.’

Sold with the recipient’s original Continuous Certificate of Discharge, with ship entries for the period October 1938 to April 1949, and portrait photograph; a Certificate of Efficiency as a Lifeboatman, dated 2 January 1947; official record office forwarding letter for the ribands of his 1939-45 campaign awards, as per the above described group, dated 6 May 1949; a message from the Naval Liaison Officer, Cape Town, informing the Captain of the S.S. Mooltan to notify Jones of the news of his brother’s death in Madagascar, this dated 28 May 1942; and two original ink sketches of his brother’s original gravesite in Madagascar, with old (copy) letter from an R.N.R. officer at the Naval Control Service at Diego Suarez who sent them to him in April 1943.

(Thomas) Kenneth Bonnell Jones, the middle son of W. J. Jones of Gwylfa, Llandaff, joined up direct from his studies at the Cardiff School of Art. Sadly, he was killed in action during an engagement with Vichy French forces on Madagascar on 5 May 1942. No better tribute to his gallant sacrifice may be found than that sent to his father by his C.O., Lieutenant-Colonel Hugh Stockwell, 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers:

‘I feel any words of mine can be but small comfort to you on the loss of your son who was killed leading his men to the attack in a way that only a gallant gentleman could. His company went into the attack and his Company Commander, Michael Harrison, was killed but he carried on with his platoon and 20 yards from the objective he fell - his last words were cheering his men on. During his attack he had been wounded in the arm, but he wouldn’t be denied and carried on - such leadership and determination was an inspiration to us all and we are all very proud of him. His platoon particularly mourn his loss as he was very dear to them and they were ready to follow him anywhere. Ken has served his country and his regiment most loyally and has been a particular friend of mine. We spent five days in Durban when he thoroughly enjoyed himself and he was full of life and in great heart. I am so sorry for you as it seems so unfair, but may I on behalf of the Battalion offer you our very sincere sympathy and say that he will never be forgotten by any of us.’

Sold with a large quantity of original documentation, including the recipient’s original M.I.D. certificate (posthumous / London Gazette 17 November 1942 refers); a letter sent to his family on his departure overseas, 4pp., dated 7 May 1941 (‘ ... I can’t possibly have leave and it makes me all the more depressed to think that I shan’t see any of you before going ...’); the above related letter from his C.O., dated 17 May [1942]; official telegram notifying his father of his death in action, and other related War Office communications; Buckingham Palace message of sympathy; and two or three portrait photographs, all in uniform.

D. B. Bonnell Jones, the youngest son of W. J. Jones of Gwylfa, Llandaff, was born in February 1917 and, following service in the Royal Signals during the 1939-45 War, died back in his hometown in February 1948.