Lt Colonel Herbert John Jones

[Eastindia]

I am sure this chap served in WWI but so far have found nothing. Plenty of Jones out there but not him. Any info much appreciated 
 

Lt. Colonel  Herbert John Jones, DSO, 14th King George’s Own Ferozepore Sikhs

Indian Army Staff Corps

He was born 23rd December 1865 in Auckland, New Zealand and was the son of Major Alfred and Mary née Harney Jones

He was educated at Rathmines School, which closed in 1899.

He was commissioned Lieutenant, East Lancashire Regiment 1885; transferred to the Indian Army Staff Corps 1888; Captain 1895; Major 1902;

He served with the Desert Column in the Sudan Expedition 1884-85, took part in actions at Abu Klea, medal with clasp and Bronze Star; served with the Hazara Expedition 1888, medal with clasp; served in Burma 1891-92; took part in operations in Chitral 1895, with the relief force and took part in the defence of Mastuj where he was wounded, mentioned in despatches, medal with clasp, DSO and clasp; served on North West Frontier 1897-98 and in action at Tochi, medal with clasp; served in China 1900, medal.

He married Elizabeth (Betty) née Graham (1895-1968) 1921 in Kensington, London

He died 10th August 1943, aged 77, at 37, Tavistock Square, London, a residential club. He also lived at the Club. He left £2,141

[DavidOwen]

He was still in Harts Army Lists in 1914 as a Lt Colonel (courtesy FMP) and not on half-pay. British Army, Army Lists 1839-1946 Image | findmypast.co.uk

[DavidOwen]

He was placed in command of 13th Battalion Manchester Regiment effective 1st October 1914. From Civil and Military Gazette (Lahore) 6th November 1914 (courtesy FMP)

[PRC]

The 45 year old Lieutenant Colonel Herbert John Jones, Indian Army, unmarried and born Auckland, New Zealand, was recorded as the sole occupant of 4 Eyrie Mansion's, 22 Jermyn Street London S W on the 1911 Census of England & Wales.

The address according to Wikipedia had been a Hotel under various names, including Eyrie Mansions. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/22_Jermyn_Street

Cheers,
Peter

[DavidOwen]

13th Bn Manchester Regiment war diaries 

 

1915 Aug - Oct 66 Infantry Brigade: 13 Battalion Manchester Regiment | The National Archives 

Nov 1915 - June 1918 66 Infantry Brigade: 13 Battalion Manchester Regiment (1915 Nov - 1918 June). Brigade... | The National Archives (not yet digitised)

July 1918 13 Battalion Manchester Regiment | The National Archives

[DavidOwen]

According to Hodgkinson's Battalion Commanders data he served as Battalion Commander of 13th Manchester Regiment until 17th November 1916 - 790 days in post, 443 days active service and was invalided out of post and "not used again as CO". So the first two of the war diaries I posted above will be of interest to you.

[DavidOwen]

Here is his MIC courtesy Ancestry

[PRC]

From the Long, Long Trail webpage for the Manchester Regiment. https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-british-infantry-regiments-of-1914-1918/manchester-regiment/

13th (Service) Battalion
Formed at Ashton-under-Lyne in September 1914, as part of K3 and attached as Army Troops to 25th Division. Moved to Seaford.
October 1914 : transferred to 66th Brigade in 22nd Division. Moved to billets in Eastbourne in November and returned to Seaford in March 1915. Went on to Aldershot in May.
September 1915 : landed in France.

The September 1915 British Army List still shows a Lieutenant-Colonel H.J. Jones, Indian Army in command. (Column 1410) https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/123015273
Treat with caution as there can be a considerable time lag in undating the monthly lists.

October 1915 : moved to Salonika.

The January 1916 British Army List still has him in command. (Column 1410) https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/122408648

Same again in the January 1917 Army List. (Column 1410b) https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/103216489

He was no longer in command by the time of the April 1917 British Army Monthly List. On the Index for that months list there is an entry for an H.J. Jones D.S.O. who is stated to appear in columns 1410b and 1981c. He doesn't appear under the former so presumably the indexing hasn't caught up, and the latter entry just places him on the strength of the Indian Army. https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/104063036

Similar incorrect indexing in the November 1918 British Army List - 1410b and 1981d. Still a Lieutenant-Colonel, D.S.O. on the strength of the Indian Army with no other details beyond seniority date. https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/123113433

According to the indexing of the 1921 Census of England & Wales on FindMyPast there is a Herbert John Jones, born Auckland, New Zealand c1866 in a household at Herne Bay, Kent. More details will be available with subscription access, and will hopefully confirm whether or not he was still serving.

Cheers,
Peter

Edited 4 July by PRC
Typo

[DavidOwen]

He was retired by 1921 (courtesy FMP)

[Eastindia]

Thank you one and all for your kind assistance which has been a great help. He did marry in 1921. According to census records, 1939 register and probate he did not establish a home in England. Staying in hotel, club or with relatives.