Maurice Jones

Prior to enlisting in May 1916, he was employed as a coal miner at the Langton Colliery, Nos 7&9 Coke & Co, Pinxton. He transferred to the Machine Gun Corps (Heavy Branch) which later became the Tank Corps under Army Order 239/1917. Maurice was a member of E Tank Company.

All officers and men of the Machine Gun Corps (Heavy Branch) were transferred to the Tank Corps under Army Order 240/1917. In April 1916 the first of six fighting companies which were to man them, began to form at Bisley and the first 4 companies (A to D) were made ready to move to France in August 1916. At the beginning of June 1916 the companies moved from Bisley to Elveden (near Thetford, Norfolk) to secure a training ground free from observation. The War Diary titled ‘Egyptian Expeditionary Force’ entry dated 9th January 1917 - 11.00hrs disembarked HMT Euripides at Alexandria (strength 15 Officers and 123 other ranks) and proceeded to ‘A’ camp at Gabban. E company concentrated on 27th January 1917 at Gilban (10 mile WSW of Romani) moving from there on the 30th March 1917 by train to Khan Yunis, reaching Deir el Balah (4 miles S of the mouth of Wadi el Ghazze) on 4th April 1917. On 14th April 1917, 8 tanks moved forward. Two tanks proceeded into action at 04.30hrs to point 300 on Dumbell Hill proceeding around Sheikh Abbass Ridge. The tank in which Maurice Jones was acting as gunner was hit on the left hand track by enemy shell, knocking the track off and putting the tank out of action. The enemy continued to shell the tank and eventually it caught fire. Gunner Maurice Jones was severely wounded and along with the tank driver, died of his wounds on 18th April 1917. He was buried in the Deir El Belah War Cemetery, Israel. He is also remembered on the St Michael and All Angels War Memorial, Sutton-in-Ashfield. Gunner Maurice Jones Notts Free Press 18th April 1917 Sutton Soldier's Death Official news has been received of the death of gunner Maurice Jones 38176, of the heavy section machine gun corps, at Alexandria on April 18th. The deceased soldier, who as 21 years of age, was the son of Mr and Mrs Edwin Jones of Bathwood Drive and prior to enlistment in May 1916 was engaged as a miner at the Langton Colliery. He received fatal wounds at Gaza on April 17th and died the following day. The following letters have been received by Mr and Mrs Jones : - " It is with great regret that I have to inform you of the death of your son, who died from wounds received whilst in action. He was most nobly performing his duty, and doing some really splendid work. He was removed to hospital with all possible speed, and every care and attention. He seemed to be in very little pain, and passed away peacefully. Please accept my sincere sympathy in your bereavement " From the major of the deceased's company. " It is with great sorrow and deep sympathy that I write to tell you about your son Maurice. Our officer is in hospital wounded in the eyes, and he asked me to convey to you his sincere condolences. Maurice bore himself like a hero and was very cheery, not withstanding that he was wounded. he suffered very little pain, and died in hospital. We all thought a great deal of Maurice, and personally I have found him a straight and good chum. All the crew feel this very , very much, and we can imagine your feeling at losing such a son. Believe me, sir, my heart aches for the loss of Maurice. " from Cpl Alec Davidson (Additional information and photograph provided by Bruce Furnell)