Jones, William
- Date of birth:
- 1911
- Nationality:
- British
Biography
Corporal William Jones volunteered for service with the Royal Engineers in October 1940, and was later trained as a bomb Disposal expert. His service book shows that in August 1944 he was employed as a minefield and Booby Trap clearance. Serving with 5th Bomb Disposal Unit, he was selected to serve with 'T' Force, attached to the 1st Canadian Army. This special Force had unlimited powers in implementing the capture designated targets containing Hitler's secret weapons and development facilities. A target was given and T Force often in front of the advancing Army would secure the area, capture valuable Prisoners and equipment. He was demobbed in January 1946.
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George Medal
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Corporal
- Unit:
- Corps of Royal Engineers (Manchester)
- Awarded on:
- February 2nd, 1945
"The Platoon in which Jones was serving, was engaged during the month of September, 1944 in the clearance of mines and booby traps from a village in the neighbourhood of Arbois. In the village there had been at least four accidents to civilians and other soldiers due to booby traps. During the period 3rd to 7th September he was responsible for the clearing of eleven armed traps, personally clearing two of which were in extremely sensitive condition. On the 8th September an accident occurred in a field of Schu mines, in which an Officer was severely wounded Jones, a Platoon Sergeant and a Lance Sergeant became casualties. On the following day, Jones continued to work in the same field, although the Officer concerned had expressed doubts as to the efficiency of the equipment being used. On the 12th of September, a Lance Corporal from the same Platoon was killed and a Sapper injured by an exploding Schu mine being rendered safe. Jones immediately took charge of the situation and continued working at the same place, in spite of considerable danger occasioned by fallen branches and various pieces of equipment with which the area was littered. During the time that the section was working in the area, Teller mines, Schu, mines and S mines were encountered in considerable numbers, together with booby traps in houses, out buildings and also the covering slit trenches in the fields and lanes. Throughout the period Jones maintained a very high standard of devotion to duty and appeared completely unaffected by the risks to which he exposed himself. Leadership and initiative were the most important factors in maintaining a very high standard of moral amongst his men, over a very trying time and he was a source of inspiration to the other Sub Units of the Company who heard of his conduct."
The investiture took place on November 19th, 1946 at Buckingham Palace where Corporal Jones received the George Medal from the hand of King George VI .
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Sources
- - Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36918 published on the 30 January 1945
- Bosleys
Photo
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