The War Graves of Ystradgynlais

Albert Jones was a member of the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve and was serving on the destroyer HMS Laforey and perished when she was sunk in the English Channel in 1917.

The information on Albert Jones has been compiled from a number of sources, including the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, from the Labour Voice newspaper, and the Parish Burial Register (courtesy of the Swansea Archives). The Wikipedia article on HMS Laforey is reproduced below under the Collective Commmons agreement.

	Albert Jones To the left is the Jones family grave in Holy Trinity churchyard, Godre'rgraig, being also the remembrance grave for Albert Jones, lost at sea in 1917.
	Inscription:- Hefyd ALBERT mab yr uchod yr hwn a collodd ei fywyd yn y rhyfel mawrth 23, 1917 yn 21 mlwydd oed

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 4th November 1916:-

Signaller Albert Jones son of Mr Henry Jones has been home on short leave and was given a good reception.

From Wikipedia's article on HMS Laforey :-

HMS Laforey (1913)
HMS Laforey, was launched at Govan, on the Clyde, in 1913 following construction by the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company. She possessed 3 4" guns and 4 torpedo tubes and was designed to operate in British coastal waters against enemy surface and submarine shipping.

On 23rd March 1917, the Laforey and her sister ship the HMS Laertes were escorting several cargo ships to France, using the Folkstone to Boulogne route. The ships were safely berthed in France and the destroyers had turned for home when at 4.30pm a large explosion detonated on the Laforey amid ships. The ship immediately broke in half with the stern sinking immediately with all aboard. The bow remained floating for some time, as the Laertes struggled to rescue the surviving crew. However, that part too rapidly disappeared, leaving just 18 survivors. The wreck remains in situ, with the 59 crew members who lost their lives in the wreck still aboard

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 31st March 1917:-

Intimation was received at Gwys on Monday morning to the effect that Signaller Albert Jones has lost his life at sea. The young sailor was attached to the Royal Navy. Signaller Jones and his brother Johnny enlisted the same time and proceeded to the Crystal Palace. In civil life both young heroes were engages as shop assistants in Swansea and Llanelly and were highly respected.

Albert was about 24 years old and the son of Mr and Mrs Henry Jones Graigtredeg Upper Cwmtwrch with whom the deepest sympathy is felt.

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 26th May 1917:-

Signaller Johnnie Jones, son of Mr Henry Jones Graigtredeg, came home Tuesday evening on short leave. His numerous friends gave him a hearty reception. Nevertheless it was a sad home coming for him, for, as announced in the Labour Voice lately, his brother Albert lost his life at sea a few weeks ago. They both joined the Navy the same time and were on leave together a few months ago.

**Parents: Mother Mary Ann JONES (no 466) died 1911 Father Henry JONES (no 243) died 1922 Buried Holy Trinity Plot 05 Row 04 Grave 55

From the Labour Voice Saturday 11th November 1922, came the news of the death of Albert's father, Henry:-

LATE MR HENRY JONES
There passed away on Wednesday after a short illness, Mr Henry Jones of Myrtle Hill Upper Cwmtwrch, at the age of 68 years.
Deceased, who was a deacon at Ebenezer Chapel, leaves 2 grown up children to mourn. His wife predeceased him 11 years ago.