Thomas Jones

Killed in Action on the 16/05/1915 on the 2nd day of the Battle of Festubert

The Battalion arrived at Zeebrugge on the 07/10/1914 and were part of the 20th Brigade, 7th Division. Thomas arrived in France on the 10/03/1915. The day before Thomas died the Division was beginning its involvement in the Battle of Festubert (15th - 25th May 1915) which was in effect a second phase of the recently failed attack on Aubers Ridge. Once again, the attack would take the form of a pincer attack with two assault frontages: a northern one along the Rue du Bois near Port Arthur and Richebourg l'Avoue, and a southern one at Festubert. On the 16/05/1915 at 03.15a.m, on the 22nd Brigades left, the 20th Brigade are slowed by a deep ditch, and crossfire from the Quadrilateral position on their left front, untouched by the bombardment as it lay in the area between the two Divisional attacks. SEE PHOTOS x 10 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY MAY 1915. Thomas was posted missing with his death not being confirmed until over a year later. By that time both his parents were dead. He is also remembered on the Maxwell Parish Church Roll of Honour, East United Free Church Roll of Honour, Stewarts and Lloyds Roll of Honour x 2 (see photos) and in the St. Augustine's Parish (book) Roll of Honour. See photos for Thomas' Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clippings x 3, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his name on the Le Touret Memorial, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Le Touret Memorial Panel List, his Service Records x 11 and the Gordon Highlanders Cap Badge. Finally, SEE PHOTOS x 27 FOR THE 7th DIVISION BOOK MARCH - MAY 1915, the 7th Division Order of Battle x 12 (the Division Thomas was with when he died), Le Touret Memorial taken by myself in July 2023, men of the Gordon Highlanders remembered at Le Touret (taken by myself in July 2023. Thomas listed in the middle panel), Thomas' name on the Le Touret Memorial taken by myself in July 2023 x 2 and Newspaper clippings x 3 (Coatbridge Express x 1, Coatbridge Leader x 1 and the Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser x 1).