Griffith Jones 1898 – 1918
Griffith Jones was the eldest of 3 children born to Ada and Robert Jones in Islington, London. He was born in 1898. His father was a cheesemonger, originally from Wales. We do not know what brought Griffith to Wokingham but he lived in ‘Oakhurst’ Goodchild Road, Wokingham and enlisted into the local regiment, the Royal Berks 1st Battalion. This had been a regular battalion but by 1918 contained many other men.
Griffith died on 26th March 1918 during the German Spring offensive and sadly has no known grave. His name is commemorated on the Arras memorial to the missing.
A small article in the Reading Chronicle on 13th April 1918 gives news of his death
“Gunner Griffiths Jones RFA at one time manager of the Central Meat Company Store, Wokingham has been killed in action “
During the war, the Mayor held regular tribunals to consider requests for exemption. An application for Griffith was turned down in March 1916:
–Griffith Jones (attested), of “Oakhurst”, Goodchild Road, Wokingham, married, meat shop manager, employed by the London Central Meat Company, applied for exemption on the grounds that he could not be replaced owing to the large number of men from the company who had joined H.M. Forces, and over 80 branches had been closed. It was agreed that he was in a certified trade, and the military representative successfully raised the contention that it was not in the national interest that the applicant should remain in civil employment, and no exemption was granted. Reading Mercury 11th March 1916
Name: JONES, GRIFFITH
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Royal Berkshire Regiment Unit Text: 1st Bn.
Date of Death: 26/03/1918
Service No: 30038
Bay 7. Memorial: ARRAS MEMORIAL
‘Oakhurst’ Goodchild Road, Wokingham.
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