23830 Guardsman Matthew Jones, Grenadier Guards.

Identification

As you might expect, this is a common name, however, there were only 4 Mathew or Matthew Jones on the CWGC and of the 22 records for M Jones, only 3 of them turned out to be Matthew when checked against medal cards. Of these seven Matthew Jones, only one of them had a mention of Liverpool in their 'other information' the others could be traced to other areas of the country or to Wales. There was also only one Matthew Jones in UK Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914-1919 with place of birth as Liverpool and it matched the one I had identified. Further research showed that he lived close to St James’ Church.

Family Information

Matthew Jones was born on 20th Sept 1891 and christened in St Matthew's, Toxteth on 11th October the same year. His parents were James and Margaret Jones. His father's occupation was tramway guard and they lived at 6 Devonport Street.

At the time of the 1901 census the family were living at 1 house, 2 court, Hampton Street. Part of the notoriously bad court housing system. They had 4 rooms for 6 people though so were not in the worst situation - some families had only a single room. Matthew was the eldest of the 4 children listed on the census. His father, James, was working as an 'electric motor driver' which was probably connected with the trams. At the time of the 1911 census, the family was living at 120 Northumberland St, not far from St James' Church. This area is all modern housing now. There were 8 children at home and the census shows that they were 8 surviving from 10 children. Matthew's occupation was listed as Clerk (at present out of employment) and his father's as electric car driver for Liverpool Corporation, this would again have been tram-driver. An article entitled “Liverpool Policemen Killed in Action” printed in the Liverpool Echo on 26th October 1916 shows a policeman named Matt Jones died with the Grenadier Guards, a quick check shows that our Matthew Jones was the only man of that name to die with the Grenadier Guards. So, sometime after the 1911 census it appears that Matthew Jones joined the Liverpool Police, the article names a total of 4 police constables from “B” division who had recently been killed and says:

“Private Matt Jones (ex Police-constable 51B) He joined up early in the war, and was attached to the Grenadier Guards. All four were quite young but most promising policemen and deservedly popular with their officers and comrades. They were all members of the Police Athletic Society… Jones was also a promising boxer, a footballer and good sprinter.”

Several articles in the Liverpool Echo (such as the one transcribed below) state that a large proportion of the Liverpool Policemen who joined up served in the Guards Battalions.

Liverpool Echo 19 Oct 1915

FROM BLUE TO KHAKI

LIVERPOOL POLICE MARCH AWAY TO ENLIST

“Goodbye and good luck” was wished on the Exchange flags today to fifty Liverpool police officers who had enlisted, and the gallant fellows were escorted to the station by their police band.

The Lord Mayor complimented the men on their patriotism and wished them a safe return.

Over five hundred members of the force had been parted with and he called on the citizens to provide four to five hundred special constables who would help to maintain the order of the city.

Alderman Maxwell, chairman of the Watch Committee, answered what he said might be a possible question, “Why have these men not gone already?”

Every one of them had been anxious to go but they could not possibly be spared before, nor could they resign. It was real patriotism on their part that they should have stayed when they were needed, and have gone as soon as they had the opportunity.

The Liverpool police record in enlistment is a most honorable one indeed. Some 513 members are already serving in the forces – a large proportion in Guards battalions – and three had won the D.C.M. There have been thirty-two killed in action.

Nevertheless, in view of the present urgent demand for men, the Head Constable has set further example by allowing another fifty unmarried members to enlist, and it was these stalwart men who are to change the blue for the khaki who were inspected on the flags.

The Head Constable and the Assistant Head Constable were also present at the ceremony.

Military Information

The Medal Index Card for Matthew Jones confirms that he was a private in the Grenadier Guards with the regimental number 23830. He received the Victory Medal and the British War Medal. His name is misspelled as 'Mathew' on the card. The card does not give any further information although the medals and lack of date show that he went overseas sometime after 1st January 1916. The medal card and CWGC both have his rank as private, but the correct rank is the equivalent Guardsman, as used in the medal rolls.

Death and Commemoration

Guardsman Matthew Jones of the 4th Battalion The Grenadier Guards was killed in action on 25th September 1916. There is no record of exactly how he was killed but the battalion diary transcribed here details the actions of 24-25th September 1916 which were the start of the Battle of Morval, part of the Battle of the Somme.

TRONES WOOD 24.9.16

The attack was postponed and on Thursday (21st) the Battalion was relieved by the Welsh Guards, two companies remaining close up in support trenches and two being taken back to TRONES WOOD. On Thursday night Lt The Hon E W TENNANT was killed by a sniper and Capt E G SPENCER CHURCHILL wounded by a shell splinter 2/Lt CONSTABLE then took charge of No 4 Coy. On Friday (22nd) night and Saturday (23rd) night the Battalion was employed in digging a new communication trench and had a good many casualties while doing it.

Orders for attack tomorrow (25th) have been received. The 1st & 3rd Guards Brigades attack LES BOEUFS. 1st Guards Brigade on the right of the 3rd Guards Brigade, the 2nd Bn Scots Guards attack on the right and 4th Bn Grenadier Guards on the left, Scots Guards directing the Battalion has by far the hardest job as we have two lines of German trenches to cross before reaching our 1st objective, then there is to be a pause for re-forming and at a given time, the attack on the 2nd objective will commence.

The 2nd objective being taken the two battalions will consolidate on that line and the 1st battalion Grenadiers will pass through and attack the 3rd objective, which is high grounds to the N.E. of LES BOEUFS.

The Battalion will attack in 2 lines of 2 companies each. No 4 & No 2 in the 1st line (No 4 on the right) no 1 & 3 in the 2nd line (No 1 on the right).

The Battalion moves to its battle position tonight, taking over trenches from the Welsh Guards who are in brigade reserve.

Monday 25.9.16 11pm

The Battalion took over its battle positions last night. 2/Lt MAINE hit in the foot. A lot of shelling and bombing. The artillery bombarded the two lines in front of the battalion from 10am to 12 noon but Capt BRITTEN in a message which reached Batt H.Q. at 12:20pm reported that the fire was weak and inaccurate. At 12:35pm the line advanced to the attack preceded by a creeping barrage 150 yards in advance which moved at the rate of 50 yards a minute and a stationary barrage on the 2nd objective. The battalion was met by a terrific machine and rifle fire which caused very heavy casualties but failed to stop them. The two left coys got into the German trench and killed every man there, numbering from 100 to 150, the two right coys, who had not met with such heavy opposition passed right on to the 1st objective, where later they were joined by the remnants of the two left coys. At 1:35pm the attack on the 2nd objective commenced, the Brigade on our left had failed to reach the 1st objective and our left was totally in the air. Consequently the right of the attack got forward and attained the 2nd objective while the left only partially got forward. Each unit then dug itself in facing the nearest enemy. At 2:35pm the 1st Bn Grenadiers, who had gradually been closed up on the leading line, passed through and attacked the 3rd objective. As the left flank was totally exposed the result was exactly the same: the right got forward and attained its objective, the left was echeloned back and dug in. The Welsh Guards now moved up and filled up gaps forming a continuous line facing North and North East and gradually all the units became linked up. 1st Bn Grenadiers on the right, on the 3rd objective facing East. 2nd Bn Scots Guards in the centre facing East and North East and Welsh Guards and 4th Bn Grenadier Guards on the left facing north. The enemy made several half-hearted counter attacks which were easily repulsed. The 1st Guards Brigade got into and through LES BOEUFS and were in touch with the 1st Battalion.

The Officer casualties, all of which occurred in the 1st attack are:-

Killed Capt GOSCHEN, STEWART. Lt PAYNE GALLWEY, JOICEY CECIL, 2/Lt FLOWER, CONSTABLE. Wounded Capt BRITTEN, 2/Lt ELLICE

The only officers who took part in the fight and are unwounded are 2/Lt KEITH, 2/Lt SELBY LOWNDES and Lt FARQUHAR.

The night was comparatively quiet and was spent in consolidating, getting up supplies of S.A.A., water, rations etc and getting wounded away and getting all parts of the line linked up.

At 6am a tank appeared and moved slowly along the GIRD TRENCH which was strongly held by the Germans, firing into it as it moved along, 300 of the enemy surrendered and the DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY moved up and occupied the trench getting into touch on our left, the LEICESTERS continued the line to the left towards GUEUDECOURT. At noon, several hundred Germans left their trenches between GUEUDECOURT and TRANSLOY and retired across the open in great disorder, apparently leaving their rifles behind them. The guns got on to them and inflicted heavy casualties. A squadron of cavalry rode up to GUEUDECOURT and passed through it. Large bodies of our troops could be seen advancing to the N & N.E. of GUEUDECOURT. Enemy artillery kept up a fairly heavy barrage throughout on our front and support troops and we suffered considerably throughout the day from small bodies of enemy snipers concealed in shell holes and old trenches, many of whom were taken single handedly by our men and shot. At 10pm the battalion was relieved by the 2nd Guards Brigade and marched to bivouacs near CARNOY arriving at 3am.

All ranks of the Battalion carried out their orders to the letter and behaved magnificently. 2/Lt KEITH, Lt FARQUHAR and 2/Lt SELBY LOWNDES worked unceasingly from Monday morning to Tuesday night re-organising their companies and set a very great example of endurance and self sacrifice which was of the utmost value and without which the position on the left would probably have fallen. Capt & Adjutant R.S. LAMBERT was invaluable and it was entirely due to his arrangements and energy that touch from Battalion H.Q. to the coys was never lost, and that it was possible to get up supplies to the coys.

CARNOY 28/9/1916

Yesterday was spent resting and re-organizing but casualties as present ascertained are:-

6 officers killed 444 Other Ranks killed & wounded

3 officers wounded

The following notice was printed in the Liverpool Echo on 25th Sept 1917

JONES - In ever-loving memory of Private M.Jones, Grenadier Guards, killed in action September 25 1916. Yet did I love thee to the last As fervently as thou, Who did not change in all the past, And cannot alter now. (sadly missed by Mattie) He gave his life for those he loved. He did not shirk, but did his duty well; A British hero, he nobly fought and fell, And was beloved by all. Ever remembered by George, Willie and Jim (in France) We loved him, yes, not tongue can tell, How deep, how dearly, and how well; For him we weep in silence unseen, And sweet is the memory of days that have been. (Always remembered by all at 24, Great George Street, Liverpool)

A family notice, printed in the Liverpool Echo on 25th Sept 1918:

JONES – In loving memory of our dear brother Private MATTHEW JONES. Grenadier Guards, killed in action, September 25th 1916.For us he always did his best. God grant him eternal rest.- From Father, Mother, Sisters and Brothers, 120 Northumberland Street.

Matthew Jones has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

Thiepval Memorial, copyright CWGC

Click here to go to the CWGC database entry for Matthew Jones

Mathew's mother received the dependant's pension of 12 shillings a week, awarded 19th May 1917 until she passed away in 1922 after which the money went to his father.