When the Britain braced for war in the months leading up to August of 1914, many a lad would take into serious consideration – which branch of the service he would enlist if England was to be drawn into a European conflict.
However, many Britons were already serving in the armed forces; well before their country declared war against German on the 4th of August. One such soldier was Private Thomas Edward JONES of the Durham Light Infantry. Born in the town of ‘Bishop Aukland’ in the County of Durham on the 14th of December, 1889 – it was inevitable that Thomas would serve with the unit which became synonymous with his County of birth.
IMAGE RIGHT: 
For King And Empire – Services Rendered. This badge was presented to Sergeant Bugler Thomas Edward JONES of the Durham Light Infantry as a result of his service in His Magesty’s Armed Forces. Whilst the war medals originally issued to Thomas are missing from the family, they have both the original ‘King & Empire’ badge and the certificate that came with it.
Thomas enlisted with the rank of Private into the 2nd Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry on the 12th of February, 1907 at the youthful age of 18 years and 2 months. His great nephew, Jason Renshaw who resides in Australia was informed that Thomas had spent some time on garrison duty in Cork, Ireland prior to the First World War. This period may amount to a portion of the “3 year period of overseas service” recorded on his original parchment enrolement papers.
According to the original documents held by the descedants of Thomas Edward JONES, it is evident that he transferred from the 16th (2nd Reserve) Battalion to Class “V” Army Reserve on the 26th of July 1916 after serving with the colours for 1 year and 11 months. The transfer to Army Reserve being completed on the 31st May 1917 at Colchester.
IMAGE LEFT: Sergeant Thomas Edward JONES with his wife Sarah Jane (OUGHTON). Sarah was born on the 18th of March, 1891 in Sacriston in County Durham and married Thomas Edward JONES on the 17th of December, 1909.
Thomas married Sarah Jane OUGHTON in England where they raised a family. However, when most of her children emmigrated to Australia, it has been said this affected Sarah greatly and that she died of a “broken heart” on the 23rd of May, 1959. Upon losing his wife, Thomas then came out to Australia to be with his children. It can safely be assumed that as Thomas brought with him; all of his Army documents and War badge …. then he would certainly have brought his war service medals with him as well. It is a regular occurrence – that First World War medals awarded to Britons during the Great War; would be re-located to Australia or other parts of the globe as a result of emmigration.
The late Harrison Oughton JONES was the third born son of Thomas. Harrison who also served with the Durham Light Infantry in the 1st Battalion, saw active service in China, North Africa, Palestine, Malta, Kos, France, Belgium and Germany during World War 2. Jason RENSHAW is the grandson of Harrison and great-grandson to Thomas Edward JONES. Jason indicates that before Harrison passed away, he gave three miniature World War 1 medals to Maurice Jones (the last remaining son of Thomas Edward). The message passed on with this miniature First World War trio was that the medals in fact, belonged to Thomas. Naturally, these miniatures consist of the 1914-1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. However, no mention was made as to the location of the ‘full size’ missing war medals and it is hoped that these awards are out in the collector world; hopefully to be re-united with the descendants of Thomas Edward JONES. Can you help?
IMAGE RIGHT: The incomplete medal card of Thomas Edward JONES. Whilst the card does not specify which medals have been awarded to Thomas, it does in fact record his rank as being “Bugler Sergeant” and his attachment to the 6th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry.
Some confusion was experienced by the descendants of Thomas as his original medal card shows no medals at all were awarded. However, like many other service records that were kept on hand by the British authorities, it appears that the service records of Thomas Edward JONES were destroyed by fire during World War 2.
Searching for a missing war medal set belonging to a common surname, such as “Smith” or “Jones” can be like searching for the veritable ‘needle’ in a pile of needles. However, with the ever increasing trade in war medals on ebay and other such auction sites taking place – there is always hope that the medals will eventually turn up on the open market.
And Medals Gone Missing asks that all of you collectors out there, consider the possibility that one day …… a descendant of a serviceman or woman, which you hold in your collection – may seek for a return of the medals. It will only be through your act of extreme kindness; that will make this possible.
IMAGE LEFT: An image of the First World War trio, consisting of the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal; similar to what was awarded to Sergeant Thomas Edward JONES for service during the Great War.
THESE WAR MEDALS ARE MISSING ! CAN YOU HELP ?
