The War Graves of Ystradgynlais

James Jones was serving with the Machine Gun Corps on the Western Front when he was killed in action in France in August 1918.

The information on James Jones has been compiled from a number of sources, including the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, from the South Wales Voice newspaper, and the Parish Burial Register (courtesy of the Swansea Archives).

	James Jones To the left is the remembrance grave in St. Cynog's cemetery.

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 12th June 1915

IN THE SAME TRENCH AS NOTED V C
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Jones of Temperance Hall, Oddfellows Street, have had two interesting letters, one from their son, Private Tom Jones and another from their nephew, Private W. J. Charles, both of whom are in the machine gun section of the 2nd Welsh Regiment at the front. Private Jones, in urging his parents to be of good spirits says: You ought to be proud to think that you have three from the same house doing their duty to King and country. (His brother is with the Brecknocks at Aden)

You are right about many at home being chicken hearted. There is too much of it. Private Jones describes the terrible effect of recent happenings and hopes that an ending will soon come to this awful world slaughter. Private Charles assures his uncle and aunt that he and his cousin are quite well and continues, "I am writing this letter to you (May 28th) in the same trench that was occupied by Corporal O'Leary, of the Irish Guards, and from which he won his V. C.. I suppose you read the account of his gallantry in the papers. As a matter of fact, Tom is in the exact spot, whilst I myself am about 10 or 15 yards away.

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 17th August 1918 :-

YSTRADGYNLAIS NOTES
Keen regret was felt locally during the week when it became known that Pte. James Jones of the Machine Gun Corps, son of Mr and Mrs Daniel Jones, Temperance Buildings, had been killed in action in France. Pte. Jones had gone out with the Brecknocks to Aden, had seen service in India, returned to France, and was now expecting leave at an early date. A letter from his major states that he had been in his present company since June 1912, and was one of its keenest and best gunners. Death was instantaneous as Pte. Jones was shot through the head by a machine gun bullet. He had been with his present comrades since leaving this country, and was the first casualty of his company. He was buried on Friday last in a cemetery behind the lines. Lieut. Jack V. Rees also writes and expresses his sorrow at losing such a cheerful and bright companion. Our readers will join in sympathy with Mr. and Mrs. Jones in their loss. Another son, Pte. Tom Jones went out to France at the time of the retreat from Mons, but is now in Palestine.

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 24th August 1918:-

The following letter of condolence and sympathy was received by Mrs Daniel Jones, Temperance Buildings, from a friend in France of her late son, Private James Jones, whose death we recorded in our last issue: Dear Mrs. Jones. It is with deep regret that I have to write this letter to you in your bereavement. Your son and I were the best of chums for over two years. We were always together, both in India and France, and I miss him very much. I am very sorry I was not with him at the time of his death, but we happened to be on two different gun teams. He was always the brightest of boys, and is greatly missed in this section. He was buried with due reverence by a chaplain; so for the time being we cannot do anything more. All his personal belongings have been forwarded to you. - Jack Lewis.

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 9th August 1919

IN MEMORIAM
In loving memory of Jim beloved son of Daniel and Elizabeth B Jones, Temperance Buildings Ystradgynlais who fell in action in France 9th August 1918.

Four years we waited, but in vain/To see his loving face again/But God He thought His way was best/And took him home to Heaven to rest/If we could have raised his dying head/Or heard his last farewell/The grief would not have been so hard/For those who loved him well/No father or mother to see him die/No brother or sister to say goodbye/No friend or relative to clasp his hand/But we hope to meet in the land/No one knows the silent heartache/No one knows but those/Who have lost their best and dearest/Without one farewell.

Sadly missed by father, mother, sisters and brothers.

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 7th August 1920

IN MEMORIAM
In loving memory of Jim, the beloved son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel B. Jones 4 Temperance Buildings Ystradgynlais, who fell in action in France on August 9th 1918.

Just when his hopes were brightest/And when his life was best/He answered the call of the country/And stayed with the boys until death/So sad yet so true, we cannot say why/The best are the first, that are called on to die/ No one who loved him, was by his side/To hear his last faint sigh or whisper just one loving word/Before he closed his eyes/But he left us to remember/That none on earth can fill his place.

Sadly missed by father and mother, sisters and brothers.