Mark Jones was born in Maesbury in 1891, the fifth of 9 children to Pryce and Ann Jones. His father Pryce Jones was a gas stoker, probably working at Oswestry Gas Works. The family lived on Maesbury Road at 2 Kent Cottages near The Ball. In 1911 he was living at home and working as a wagoner for a local builder. In 1913 he married Mary Elizabeth Onions at Holy Trinity Church, Oswestry. They would have 2 children; Mark, born in April 1914 and Phyllis, born in February 1916. The family lived at 3 Tory Cottages in Maesbury.

Private 10037 William Roberts, 1 / 4 Bn or 1 Bn King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. DoW 30 October 1917, Dozinghem Military Cemetery. (Louise Culliford)

Mark enlisted at Oswestry in June 1916  joining the Royal Garrison Artillery and going over to France in January 1917. He served in 234 Siege Battery, operating heavy guns. During the later stages of Third Ypres his battery were involved in the artillery barrage. On 9 November, whilst operating the guns an enemy shell hit an ammunition lorry. In the explosion, three men, including Mark, were wounded (the other 2 were Gunner 85917 J Freedman and Gunner 25400 A Skeggs, both survived). Mark was wounded in upper left arm, back, neck and abdomen. He died at No. 4 Casualty Clearing Station at Dozingham and is buried in Dozingham Military Cemetery. His unit received news of his death on 17 November. He is also commemorated on Maesbury War Memorial and at Holy Trinity Church, Oswestry.

.Acknowledgements.

Photos – Louise Culliford

References and Sources

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