Private Charles Arthur Jones MM

See Notes (1) (2)

Charles was born in Williamstown, VIC in 1891 to Alfred Jones and Delia Lilley. In 1920 Charles married Florence Mary Hine (aka Eliz. Florence). Charles is the brother-in-law of Arthur William Hine, also remembered in the Avenue.

Charles was a labourer and gave his address as Bacchus Marsh, VIC when he enlisted in the AIF, 37^th Battalion, C Company on the 19^th of February 1916, aged 24. He embarked aboard the HMAT A34 Persic in June - later that month he was admitted to the ship's hospital with measles - and disembarked at Plymouth, England in July.

In November Charles proceeded overseas to France and shortly after arriving was hospitalised for nearly four weeks with influenza. He was wounded in action in October 1917 - gunshot wound to the chest - and admitted to the 3^rd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station and then to a convalescent depot before rejoining his unit in early November and detached for duty with the 10^th Brigade Headquarters.

Charles was awarded the Military Medal⁽³⁾ for his actions on the 10^th of August 1918:-

On the night of the 10th August Private Jones was running between the Brigade Forward station at La Flaque and Brigade Headquarters. Many times during the night he brought back valuable information, being obliged to use the Main Road which was being ... swept by Machine Gun and Artillery fire, and frequently bombed by enemy aircraft. He set a splendid example.

Source: Recommendation for the Military Medal

In October 1918 Charles was transferred to the 39^th Battalion - he remained on detachment. He was admitted to the 4^th Scottish General Hospital Stobhill, Scotland while on leave in November - seriously ill - and transferred to the 3^rd Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, England and then discharged to the balance of his leave - rejoining his unit in France in December. Charles returned to England in April 1919 and was promoted to Temporary Corporal. He embarked for Australia aboard the HMAT Rio Pardo in late May, disembarking in Australia in the middle of July and was discharged from the AIF in September.

Charles died in Yass, NSW in July 1935.

...He was only in the district for twelve months and went under the name of Frank Taylor for some reason best known to himself. But he had told one or two Digger pals that that was not his real name and the Police found his badge amongst his effects. He dropped dead whilst at work on Monday morning. He was a very decent type and made many friends in the town.

Source: Letter from M. Coen, Hon. Sec. Yass Soldiers' Club

He is listed on the Shire of Bacchus Marsh Roll of Honour, the Bacchus Marsh & District Roll of Honour and the Holy Trinity Church Roll of Honour.

Notes

1. His service records do not mention the 3^rd Division Signal Company. He was in the 37^th Battalion early on and later detached to the 10^th Infantry Brigade Headquarters - both these units were part of the 3^rd Division.
2. He was promoted to Temporary Corporal shortly before returning to Australia.
3. London Gazette 24 January 1919 Page 1252, position 35
   Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 23 May 1919 Page 898, position 40

Location of Tree Number S132

Tree Position (accuracy ±1 tree) -37.683555099081026, 144.4607753176617

Related Links

• Timeline
• Nominal Roll
• Embarkation Roll
• Service Records
• Recommendation: Military Medal
• Award: Military Medal
• 37^th Battalion
• Unit Diaries - 37^th Battalion
• Unit Diaries - 10^th Infantry Brigade
• The Battle of Amiens

Last updated by lee, Sat, 28 Aug 2021 18:34:34