Reginald Francis Jones

Reginald Francis Jones enlisted for seven years into the Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) on 27 June 1908. He was 5 feet 4 inches in height. After initial training Reginald was posted to the 2nd Battalion on 21 September 1908 and five months later to the 1st Battalion in India. Reginald remained with the battalion in India until the outbreak of the War. During his service there, he contracted Malaria and also picked up a knee injury whilst jumping from a high wall during physical training. On the outbreak of War, the battalion was recalled from India and after a month’s voyage, followed by refitting and training, landed in France on 4 November 1914. In December 1914, Reginald found himself in the Majestic Hotel Paris suffering from frostbite. Three weeks later he was moved to 10th General Hospital Rouen. In February 1915 he was appointed unpaid corporal and this was made permanent in June. In March 1915, he was in hospital again, this time a reoccurrence of Malaria. In November 1915 Reginald was given a week’s leave, his first since arriving in France. On 17 May 1916 he was tried by Field General Courts Martial and reduced to the rank of private. On 5 July1916 the 1st Battalion at short notice was moved forward to attack from La Boisselle. At the same time, the enemy had massed troops from the elite Prussian Guard to attack and take La Boisselle. The battalion suffered heavily during this encounter but did excellent work in blunting the German attack. At some point during the day Reginald was killed.

Soldiers Effects Register – £18-0s-5d – 12/5/17 – mother sole legatee Sarah A £11 –war gratuity – 21/9/19 mother sole legatee Sarah Ann All of his personal effects, medals and plaque were sent to his mother Mrs S A Jones Old Westwood Nottinghamshire. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial Somme. Research by John Morse