HENRY MORELAND JONES
Regimental No. 1/158 & 10/3312
24 August 1890 – 16 September 1916
Henry Moreland JONES was born in Pimlico, London on 24 August 1890, the fourth child of Evan and Millie (nee SHORD) Jones, who had married at Windsor, Berkshire, in 1882. His older siblings were Frank Evan born 1882 in Windsor, Ellen May born 1884 in Dublin, Ireland, and Ida Ethel born 1886 in London. His younger brother, Arthur Llewellyn was born in 1892 in London and died aged 4 years in March 1897. Henry’s father, Evan had various occupations, being a valet in 1886; a butler to the Vicar of St Barnabas Church in Pimlico where Henry was baptised on 22 October 1890 and on the 1901 and 1911 Censuses Evan had become a forester. Henry spent his early years in Gatliff Road, Pimlico, South London but by the 1901 Census the family had moved to Loughton, North London and Evan was possibly working in Epping Forest.
By the time the Wellington North Electoral Roll was compiled for publication in 1911 Henry was resident at 162a Sydney Street, Thorndon, Wellington and was described as a wharf labourer. How he came to New Zealand is uncertain, but there are some records that suggest he had joined the Merchant Navy and was a 2nd Class saloon steward on the ‘Tainui’ that sailed from London to Wellington in October 1910. Whether he ‘jumped ship’ or was paid off is unknown, if this was indeed how he migrated from the UK.
On 9 August 1914, by which time he was living at 16 Mitchell Street, Brooklyn, and working as a labourer, Henry enlisted in the army. He stated that he was born 24 August 1887, making his apparent age 27 years, rather than his true age of 24 years. His height was 5 feet 10 inches, weight 9 stone 2 pounds, chest minimum 35 inches and maximum 38 inches. He had florid complexion, blue eyes, light brown hair and his religious profession was Anglican. His sight was 6/6, hearing good, limbs, and chest well formed; heart and lungs normal; he was free from hernia, varicocele, varicose veins, haemorrhoids and skin disease; and his teeth were good. He was deemed 1st Class and given the regimental number of 1/158.
Six days later Henry was sent to Samoa with ‘B’ Company 5th Wellington Regiment. He had become one of the Samoan Expeditionary Force despatched to ‘capture’ Samoa from the Germans, which was achieved on 29 August 1914.
There was little to do in Samoa apart from training and on 2 November 1914 Henry passed the regimental course in machine gun instruction. Unfortunately, Henry’s behaviour in Samoa was less than satisfactory and he was on a charge several times during the eight months in which the Advance Force was in occupation.
On 26 December 1914 he received 28 days detention for insulting language at Apia. Shortly after finishing his period of detention on 6 February he received 12 days Confined to Barracks for obstructing Police. On 6 March Henry was again in trouble, this time charged with stealing and an alternative charge of possession of goods known to be stolen viz. a box of envelopes from the canteen at Malifa Camp, Apia. For this offence Henry was court martialled on 15 March 1915 and found guilty on both charges. He was sentenced to field punishment No.1 for a period of sixty days, and in addition was to be discharged with ignominy from His Majesty’s service. These were very serious punishments – Field Punishment No. 1 was used for conscientious objectors who were forcibly taken to the front line in France later in the war, and then shackled to a cross for hours at a time. Presumably Henry was shackled and kept captive in uncomfortable conditions, although his life would never have been in danger as a result of the punishment.
The latter sentence was deemed illegal by Captain H.H. Wright, as a discharge of ignominy could only accompany a sentence of imprisonment. At Captain Wright’s request the court reassembled and revoked the discharge with ignominy sentence. The field punishment sentence was though enforced for 60 days.
The Advance Force was withdrawn from Samoa on 3 April 1915 and Henry returned to New Zealand and was discharged from the services on 3 May 1915.
On his return Henry found work with Wilson & Canham, Fellmongers with a warehouse in Thorndon, Wellington. A fellmonger was a dealer in hides or skins, particularly sheepskins, who might also prepare skins for tanning. Henry was living at 60 Mitchell Street, Brooklyn when he re-enlisted on 23 August 1915 in the army. Again, he gave his birth date as 24 August 1887 with apparent age 28 years. He had changed his occupation to Seaman, rather than labourer. His medical examination gave his height of 5 feet 11 inches, weight 108.10 pounds; chest 37½ inches minimum and 39 inches maximum; fair complexion, blue eyes and fair hair. His religious profession was English. His sight was 6/6 and hearing normal; the rest of his medical being the same as his previous one in 1914, except now his teeth were ‘sufficient’. He was given the new regimental number of 10/3312 in the 1st Battalion Wellington Infantry Regiment, 7th Company.
On 18 September 1915 Henry was promoted to Corporal with B Company 8th Infantry Brigade. However on 2 December 1915 while aboard the ‘Willochra’ for Suez he was reverted to the ranks. He had embarked with HMNZS No.35 on the ‘Willochra’ which left Wellington on 13 November and arrived in Suez on 18 December 1915. He joined the Battalion at Ismailia on 20 February 1916, became sick with an unspecified illness on 19 March and was sent to hospital. When he recovered a few days later, he rejoined the Battalion in Ismailia. From there he was transferred to the Lewis Machine Gun Section on 28 March until he embarked for France on 6 April 1916. Henry would have been a part of the New Zealand division concentrated in the villages to the west of Armentieres. He became sick once more and was sent to hospital for 9 days from 15 June 1916. On 19 July 1916, he again rejoined the 1st Battalion Wellington Infantry Regiment and would have taken part in the Somme offensive. A good description of the activities of the Wellington Regiment on the Somme is available in an electronic copy of their official history Chapter XVII, pages 111-119.
The Regiment was deployed to capture the village of Flers, about 10 kilometres north-east of the township of Bapaume. A major assault was launched on 15 September:
At 6.20 a.m. (zero hour) on the 15th September, the attack began. The artillery bombardment had been gradually growing more intense and now increased to a degree not comprehended before by our troops. The air seemed full of flying shells and bursting shrapnel, and it appeared some time before the Germans realised that the great attack, which had been foreshadowed, had actually begun. When they did realise this, they placed a barrage along the whole line attacked and along the Switch trench over which our men were advancing.
http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH1-Well-t1-body-d17.html
Flers was captured on 15 September 1916 in the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, when tanks, the innovative new weapon were used for the first time. During the attack Henry was wounded in his arm and shoulder on that day and it is reasonable to assume that he was shot during this advance. He was initially assessed/treated at the Regimental Aid Post. On leaving the Aid Post on the 16th it appears that Henry and one other man were killed by a shell landing alongside them.
These events were documented at a court of enquiry held in London on 16 December 1916. Evidence was given by Captain R.W. Wrightson that Henry’s name appeared on a list furnished by the 3rd Battalion 1st NZ Rifle Brigade as having passed through their Regimental Aid Post on 15 and 16 September. Another soldier, Private G.H. Callahan, who had his wounds dressed at the same time, gave evidence that when he left the Aid Post Henry was with other men approximately 50 yards behind him. A shell landed by three of the men and Private Callahan saw that two of them were hit. The third man, C.K. Anderson a Lewis Gunner ran up and said the other two were dead, mentioning Jones by name. The finding of the court was that it was reasonable to suppose Henry died in the field on 16 September 1916, the cause of death unknown. He had turned 27 the previous month.
There must have been identifiable remains at the time of Henry’s death, as he was buried in Bulls Road Cemetery, on the outskirts of Flers. There are 776 Commonwealth servicemen from World War 1 buried or commemorated in the cemetery, 296 unidentified and 15 special memorials to those known or believed to be killed are buried among them. Henry’s memorial is marked with a cross in Plot 2 Row J Grave 15.
Henry's death was reported in the New Zealand Herald of 20 December 1916:
Previously reported wounded, now reasonably supposed to be dead, September 16, report result of finding of court of inquiry: Jones Henry Moreland (Corporal) Mrs E Jones, Essex, England (mother).
In January 1917 there was a further notice, which perhaps was inserted once the outcome of the Court of Enquiry had been notified and the family had had time to make arrangements for the notice:
Evening Post 8 January 1917
JONES – Killed in France on 16th September 1916 Corporal Henry Moreland Jones, 8th Reinforcements, New Zealand Expeditionary Forces, son of Mr Jones “Foxburrows”, Chigwell Row, Essex, England and late of 60 Mitchell Street, Brooklyn, Wellington.
Henry was later remembered in the Roll of Honour:
Evening Post 16 September 1918
JONES – In loving memory of Henry Moreland Jones, son of Mr. and Mrs. E. Jones, of Foxburrows, Essex, England and late of 60 Mitchell Street, Brooklyn, who was killed in action in France on 16th September 1916.
He died for his King and Country
Like a soldier and like a man
Inserted by F.G.W., W.R., J.R., and C.V.H.
(The owners of the initials are not known.)
Henry’s memorial plaque and scroll were sent to his mother in September 1921 and his 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory medal were sent to her at Foxborough Road, Foxburrows, Chigwell Row in Essex in 1924.
Henry's parents Millie and Evan Jones were still alive in 1939 when there was a national Register (census). They were living at 19 New Road, Waltham Holy Cross, Essex with their widowed daughter, Ellen May Long. Evan died at Waltham Abbey, Essex, in January 1945. Henry’s brother Frank served in the British Royal Fusiliers during World War 1. He survived and retired as a Captain.
Research conducted by Ann Walker with additional input by Barbara Mulligan.
Regimental No. 1/158 & 10/3312
24 August 1890 – 16 September 1916
Henry Moreland JONES was born in Pimlico, London on 24 August 1890, the fourth child of Evan and Millie (nee SHORD) Jones, who had married at Windsor, Berkshire, in 1882. His older siblings were Frank Evan born 1882 in Windsor, Ellen May born 1884 in Dublin, Ireland, and Ida Ethel born 1886 in London. His younger brother, Arthur Llewellyn was born in 1892 in London and died aged 4 years in March 1897. Henry’s father, Evan had various occupations, being a valet in 1886; a butler to the Vicar of St Barnabas Church in Pimlico where Henry was baptised on 22 October 1890 and on the 1901 and 1911 Censuses Evan had become a forester. Henry spent his early years in Gatliff Road, Pimlico, South London but by the 1901 Census the family had moved to Loughton, North London and Evan was possibly working in Epping Forest.
By the time the Wellington North Electoral Roll was compiled for publication in 1911 Henry was resident at 162a Sydney Street, Thorndon, Wellington and was described as a wharf labourer. How he came to New Zealand is uncertain, but there are some records that suggest he had joined the Merchant Navy and was a 2nd Class saloon steward on the ‘Tainui’ that sailed from London to Wellington in October 1910. Whether he ‘jumped ship’ or was paid off is unknown, if this was indeed how he migrated from the UK.
On 9 August 1914, by which time he was living at 16 Mitchell Street, Brooklyn, and working as a labourer, Henry enlisted in the army. He stated that he was born 24 August 1887, making his apparent age 27 years, rather than his true age of 24 years. His height was 5 feet 10 inches, weight 9 stone 2 pounds, chest minimum 35 inches and maximum 38 inches. He had florid complexion, blue eyes, light brown hair and his religious profession was Anglican. His sight was 6/6, hearing good, limbs, and chest well formed; heart and lungs normal; he was free from hernia, varicocele, varicose veins, haemorrhoids and skin disease; and his teeth were good. He was deemed 1st Class and given the regimental number of 1/158.
Six days later Henry was sent to Samoa with ‘B’ Company 5th Wellington Regiment. He had become one of the Samoan Expeditionary Force despatched to ‘capture’ Samoa from the Germans, which was achieved on 29 August 1914.
There was little to do in Samoa apart from training and on 2 November 1914 Henry passed the regimental course in machine gun instruction. Unfortunately, Henry’s behaviour in Samoa was less than satisfactory and he was on a charge several times during the eight months in which the Advance Force was in occupation.
On 26 December 1914 he received 28 days detention for insulting language at Apia. Shortly after finishing his period of detention on 6 February he received 12 days Confined to Barracks for obstructing Police. On 6 March Henry was again in trouble, this time charged with stealing and an alternative charge of possession of goods known to be stolen viz. a box of envelopes from the canteen at Malifa Camp, Apia. For this offence Henry was court martialled on 15 March 1915 and found guilty on both charges. He was sentenced to field punishment No.1 for a period of sixty days, and in addition was to be discharged with ignominy from His Majesty’s service. These were very serious punishments – Field Punishment No. 1 was used for conscientious objectors who were forcibly taken to the front line in France later in the war, and then shackled to a cross for hours at a time. Presumably Henry was shackled and kept captive in uncomfortable conditions, although his life would never have been in danger as a result of the punishment.
The latter sentence was deemed illegal by Captain H.H. Wright, as a discharge of ignominy could only accompany a sentence of imprisonment. At Captain Wright’s request the court reassembled and revoked the discharge with ignominy sentence. The field punishment sentence was though enforced for 60 days.
The Advance Force was withdrawn from Samoa on 3 April 1915 and Henry returned to New Zealand and was discharged from the services on 3 May 1915.
On his return Henry found work with Wilson & Canham, Fellmongers with a warehouse in Thorndon, Wellington. A fellmonger was a dealer in hides or skins, particularly sheepskins, who might also prepare skins for tanning. Henry was living at 60 Mitchell Street, Brooklyn when he re-enlisted on 23 August 1915 in the army. Again, he gave his birth date as 24 August 1887 with apparent age 28 years. He had changed his occupation to Seaman, rather than labourer. His medical examination gave his height of 5 feet 11 inches, weight 108.10 pounds; chest 37½ inches minimum and 39 inches maximum; fair complexion, blue eyes and fair hair. His religious profession was English. His sight was 6/6 and hearing normal; the rest of his medical being the same as his previous one in 1914, except now his teeth were ‘sufficient’. He was given the new regimental number of 10/3312 in the 1st Battalion Wellington Infantry Regiment, 7th Company.
On 18 September 1915 Henry was promoted to Corporal with B Company 8th Infantry Brigade. However on 2 December 1915 while aboard the ‘Willochra’ for Suez he was reverted to the ranks. He had embarked with HMNZS No.35 on the ‘Willochra’ which left Wellington on 13 November and arrived in Suez on 18 December 1915. He joined the Battalion at Ismailia on 20 February 1916, became sick with an unspecified illness on 19 March and was sent to hospital. When he recovered a few days later, he rejoined the Battalion in Ismailia. From there he was transferred to the Lewis Machine Gun Section on 28 March until he embarked for France on 6 April 1916. Henry would have been a part of the New Zealand division concentrated in the villages to the west of Armentieres. He became sick once more and was sent to hospital for 9 days from 15 June 1916. On 19 July 1916, he again rejoined the 1st Battalion Wellington Infantry Regiment and would have taken part in the Somme offensive. A good description of the activities of the Wellington Regiment on the Somme is available in an electronic copy of their official history Chapter XVII, pages 111-119.
The Regiment was deployed to capture the village of Flers, about 10 kilometres north-east of the township of Bapaume. A major assault was launched on 15 September:
At 6.20 a.m. (zero hour) on the 15th September, the attack began. The artillery bombardment had been gradually growing more intense and now increased to a degree not comprehended before by our troops. The air seemed full of flying shells and bursting shrapnel, and it appeared some time before the Germans realised that the great attack, which had been foreshadowed, had actually begun. When they did realise this, they placed a barrage along the whole line attacked and along the Switch trench over which our men were advancing.
http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH1-Well-t1-body-d17.html
Flers was captured on 15 September 1916 in the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, when tanks, the innovative new weapon were used for the first time. During the attack Henry was wounded in his arm and shoulder on that day and it is reasonable to assume that he was shot during this advance. He was initially assessed/treated at the Regimental Aid Post. On leaving the Aid Post on the 16th it appears that Henry and one other man were killed by a shell landing alongside them.
These events were documented at a court of enquiry held in London on 16 December 1916. Evidence was given by Captain R.W. Wrightson that Henry’s name appeared on a list furnished by the 3rd Battalion 1st NZ Rifle Brigade as having passed through their Regimental Aid Post on 15 and 16 September. Another soldier, Private G.H. Callahan, who had his wounds dressed at the same time, gave evidence that when he left the Aid Post Henry was with other men approximately 50 yards behind him. A shell landed by three of the men and Private Callahan saw that two of them were hit. The third man, C.K. Anderson a Lewis Gunner ran up and said the other two were dead, mentioning Jones by name. The finding of the court was that it was reasonable to suppose Henry died in the field on 16 September 1916, the cause of death unknown. He had turned 27 the previous month.
There must have been identifiable remains at the time of Henry’s death, as he was buried in Bulls Road Cemetery, on the outskirts of Flers. There are 776 Commonwealth servicemen from World War 1 buried or commemorated in the cemetery, 296 unidentified and 15 special memorials to those known or believed to be killed are buried among them. Henry’s memorial is marked with a cross in Plot 2 Row J Grave 15.
Henry's death was reported in the New Zealand Herald of 20 December 1916:
Previously reported wounded, now reasonably supposed to be dead, September 16, report result of finding of court of inquiry: Jones Henry Moreland (Corporal) Mrs E Jones, Essex, England (mother).
In January 1917 there was a further notice, which perhaps was inserted once the outcome of the Court of Enquiry had been notified and the family had had time to make arrangements for the notice:
Evening Post 8 January 1917
JONES – Killed in France on 16th September 1916 Corporal Henry Moreland Jones, 8th Reinforcements, New Zealand Expeditionary Forces, son of Mr Jones “Foxburrows”, Chigwell Row, Essex, England and late of 60 Mitchell Street, Brooklyn, Wellington.
Henry was later remembered in the Roll of Honour:
Evening Post 16 September 1918
JONES – In loving memory of Henry Moreland Jones, son of Mr. and Mrs. E. Jones, of Foxburrows, Essex, England and late of 60 Mitchell Street, Brooklyn, who was killed in action in France on 16th September 1916.
He died for his King and Country
Like a soldier and like a man
Inserted by F.G.W., W.R., J.R., and C.V.H.
(The owners of the initials are not known.)
Henry’s memorial plaque and scroll were sent to his mother in September 1921 and his 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory medal were sent to her at Foxborough Road, Foxburrows, Chigwell Row in Essex in 1924.
Henry's parents Millie and Evan Jones were still alive in 1939 when there was a national Register (census). They were living at 19 New Road, Waltham Holy Cross, Essex with their widowed daughter, Ellen May Long. Evan died at Waltham Abbey, Essex, in January 1945. Henry’s brother Frank served in the British Royal Fusiliers during World War 1. He survived and retired as a Captain.
Research conducted by Ann Walker with additional input by Barbara Mulligan.