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Memorial Stone to Honour VC
A Memorial stone is to be unveiled in
honour of a Liverpool soldier who was awarded the Victoria Cross after he
displayed "most conspicuous bravery."
Sergeant David Jones was awarded the honour for his actions at Guillimont in the
Battle of the Somme, on 3 September 1916.
The citation for his award read:- "For most conspicuous bravery, devotion
to duty, and ability displayed in the handling of his platoon. The platoon to
which he belonged was ordered to a forward position, and during the advance came
under heavy machine gun fire, the officer being killed and the platoon suffering
heavy losses. Sergeant Jones led forward the remainder, occupied the position,
and held it for 2 days and 2 nights, without food or water, until relieved. On
the 2nd day he drove back 3 counter attacks, inflicting heavy losses. His
coolness was most praiseworthy."
On 6 October 1916 Sgt Jones was told he was to be awarded the VC and was given
the choice of returning to England to receive the medal or to go into action the
following day. He chose to go into action and was killed at Bancourt, on 7
October 1916. He is buried at Bancourt British cemetery.
His widow was presented with his VC at Buckingham Palace by King George V, in
March 1917.
David Jones was born in Hutchinson Street in 1891. He attended Heyworth Street
School and before the outbreak of war worked as an apprentice coachbuilder with
J. Blake and Co Motor Company.
A memorial stone in his honour will be unveiled by the Lord Mayor of Liverpool
Councillor Roz Gladden, on Saturday, 3 September 2016, at 11am, in Whitley
Gardens, Shaw Street, next to the memorial dedicated to the 8th The King's
Regiment.
Members of Sgt Jones' family and military representatives will be present at the
ceremony.
The memorial stones are a national scheme run by the Department for Communities
and Local Government which will see every World War One Victoria Cross recipient
remembered.
Councilor Gladden said:- "This is the 2nd memorial stone which will be
unveiled in matter of weeks for Liverpool men who were awarded VCs at the Battle
of the Somme, which illustrates not only their outstanding bravery, but the
terrible toll that battle took. David Jones was an extremely brave young man. A
newspaper report of the time described him as '1 of those quiet and unassuming
men who, under the test of exceptional circumstances, reveal a gift of
leadership and an almost unsuspected courage.' I am extremely pleased to unveil
a memorial in his home City, which will ensure that his bravery and sacrifice is
recognised."
Sgt Jones' VC is housed at the Museum of Liverpool and members of his family
have been invited to visit the museum, following the ceremony to view it.
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