Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Private H. Jones, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who was killed in action on the Western Front at Mametz Wood, Somme, in July 1916

1914-15 Star (26343 Pte. H. Jones. R.W. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (26343 Pte. H. Jones. R.W. Fus.); Memorial Plaque (Henry Jones) in original card envelope, plaque with heavy edge knocks and bruises and two holes drilled in rear (not affecting front of the plaque) with solder traces, probably related to a prior attempt to mount the plaque, otherwise better than very fine (4) £140-£180

Henry Jones was born at Resolven, Glamorgan, and attested for the Royal Welsh Fusiliers at Neath. He served with the 17th (2nd North Wales) Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 5 December 1915, and was killed in action at Mametz Wood sometime between 9 and 12 July 1916. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

The 17th Battalion R.W.F., served in 115 Brigade in the 38th Welsh Division, and took part in the first attack on Mametz Wood on 7 July 1916, which was led by the 16th (Cardiff City) Battalion of the Welsh Regiment, with 17th R.W.F. in reserve. The Battalion War Diary notes that on 9 July the battalion was not actively engaged as they were preparing for the next assault on the Wood on 10 July 1916, but it is noted that there was only one casualty on 9 July 1916. The Battalion War Diary records that 30 other ranks were killed in action and 197 wounded in the second major assault on the wood on 10-11 July 1916.