Distinguished Service Order, (GV)., silver-gilt and enamel, with top riband bar, Military Cross, (GV.), 1914-15 Star (2. Lieut. L’pool R.), British War Medal, Victory Medals with M.I.D. (Major ); Italy, Kingdom, Al Valore Militare, silver, unnamed as issued, original wartime issue ‘F.G.’ makers mark.
Major R.H. Jones
D.S.O. L.G. 1/2/1919. t/Maj. Hamps. R. (Salonika)
‘For conspicuous gallantry during an attack on an enemy position at White Scar Hill on September 18th, 1918. He was in charge of the attacking party, and, owing largely to his courage and determination, the enemy position was taken by assault. Under subsequent heavy shelling he held on to the position, and when ordered withdrew his force in order to our lines. His coolness and disregard for safety were most marked.’
M.C. L.G. 19/4/1917, t/Lieut. L’Pool R.
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He handled his party with great courage and initiative throughout. On one occasion he was in command of a party which accounted for eleven of the enemy.’
Italian Al Valore Militare in silver, L.G. 31 August 1917. Lieut. Liverpool R.
M.I.D. L.G. 24/12/1917
Richard Hodkinson Jones was born in Westhoughton, Lancashire, on 18 May 1890. A schoolmaster, he was appointed to a Commission on 2 December 1914 as Temporary Second Lieutenant, 14th (Service) Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment. Serving as part of 22nd Division, he fought in Salonika from 6 November 1915 and took part in the action at Macukovo, where men of the King’s Liverpool Regiment and Lancashire Fusiliers briefly captured a ruined village and killed over 200 of the enemy in hand-to-hand fighting. Jones was subsequently awarded the Military Cross for a patrol action against the Bulgars at Cakli, and was wounded on 2 May 1917 at Pearse Ravine.
Employed with the 12th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, from 13 July 1917, Jones present at White Scar Hill winning a fine Distinguished Service Order and Mentioned in Despatches . Following steady promotion throughout the war years, on 12 April 1920 Jones was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel whilst commanding the 7th Battalion of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry as part of the Army of Occupation. He finally relinquished his commission a couple of months later and returned to his school master’s duties. In 1921, Jones returned to the Army and the 2nd Battalion, King’s Regiment Forced to retire in the rank of Major on 15 July 1930, due to ill health Jones died at the British Sanatorium, Montana, Switzerland, on 13 May 1931.
A fine combination of awards
