Arthur Meredydd Jones

Arthur came to the University of Glasgow in 1912 and attended classes both in Arts and in Science. During the summer of 1914 he worked under Mr Dods, the factor of Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson, of Novar, who became Governor-General of Australia, and soon after the outbreak of war, in September 1914, he enlisted as a Private in the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC), and before the end of the year he was made Sergeant.

In January 1915, he was given a commission in the 17th Durham Light Infantry, and after a few months' training was sent to France. He was latterly attached to the 50th Battalion Machine Gun Corps, and he was acting Captain in that Corps on the 10th April 1918. When last seen he was lying wounded on a stretcher at Estaires, some 10 miles south-west of Armentieres, near the Belgium-France border, just before the town was occupied by the German Army. He was awarded the Military Cross (MC) in October 1916, and a Bar was added to the cross in May 1918.

His entry from the London Gazette, dated 25th November 1916 read:

Temp. 2nd Lt. Arthur Meredydd Jones,

Durh. L.I.

For conspicuous gallantry in action. Although with a severely injured foot, he continued to handle his machine guns with great courage and skill. Later another officer becoming a casualty, he went forward under very heavy fire and took command of his two machine guns.

His entry from the London Gazette, dated 18th September 1918 read:

T./Lt. Arthur Meredydd Jones, M.C., Durh. L. I.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led a dashing counter-attack at night which was entirely satisfactory. Although wounded in the early stages of the fight, he caried on, not only directing the fire of his men, but himself using a captured machine-gun with good effect. (M.C. gazetted 25th November, 1916.)

He was wounded four times during the war, and on the testimony of his brother officers left a splendid record of bravery and efficiency. Lieutenant Arthur Meredydd Jones was killed in action on the 10th April 1918, and his memorial can be found on Panel 11 of the Ploegstreet Memorial, just north of the village of

Ploegstreet in Belgium, not far from the French town of Armentieres.