Military History

Embarked Fremantle per HMAT A54 ‘Runic’ 1915 for Egypt 29.1.1916.
Roll Rank Private
Roll Unit 13th Reinforcements 16th Battalion. Australian Imperial Force (AIF).
Jones disembarked at Alexandria and marched in to Zietoun 26.2.1916. He was transferred to the 48th Battalion from 16th Battalion at Serapeum 2.4.1916 with the reorganization of troops after Gallipoli and in preparation for the Western Front. He was taken on strength with the 12th Training Battalion at Tel-el-Kebir 24.5.1916. He was hospitalised in Alexandria with myalgia 21.6.1916, then with synovitis at Tel-el- Kebir 25.6.1916 (Reported in West Australian Newspaper 23.6.1916). Jones was hospitalized in Alexandria with Rheumatic Fever 3.7.1916. On recovery, he joined British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in Alexandria and embarked per HT ‘Megantic’ for UK 6.8.1916. He was taken on strength with 12th Training Battalion 20.8.1916 but was taken to Hospital sick 22.8.1917. Proceeded overseas to France 10.9.191 and marched in to the 4th Australian Division Base Depot at Etaples. 11.9.1916. He was sent to Machine Gun School at Rollestone, UK 25.9.1916. Jones was then transferred to the 12th Machine Gun Corps 15.11.1916 and taken on strength with his unit in France. Jones received an injury/wound to his chest and was transferred by the 12th Field Ambulance to the Divisional Rest Station 22.8.1917. Jones rejoined his unit 30.8.1917. The 12th Australian Machine Gun Coy. was part of the 12th Brigade, 4th Division and fought in the attack at Passchendaele 12.10.1917. Jones was KIA in the field in Belgium 13.10.1917 (Reported West Australian Newspapers 10.12.1917, 27/11/1917). His body was not recovered and he is now commemorated at the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Flanders. Belgium.
Final Rank Private, 12th Machine Gun Coy.
Medical Condition Deceased, KIA.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.

Photo Western Mail  7.7.1916
           West Australian 13.10.1919
           W.D. Jones in 'Australia's Fighting Sons of the Empire'. (1922) Facs.Ed. Reproduced with permission of Hesperian Press 2014 p80
           HMAT 'Runic'. Photograph donor R. Teague, photograph source AWM P00707.027
           Zonnebeke, First Battle of Passchendaele. Photographer unknown, photographer sourced AWM E01200.
           Menin Gate Memorial 1938. Photograph secured by Captain James Murphy of the British War Graves Commission, photograph source AWM H16916

Information Source
'Australia's Fighting Sons of the Empire.' Palmer and Ashworth 1922. Facsimile Edition published by Hesperian Press, Victoria Park.WA. 2014
AWM P00707.027. HMAT 'Runic'. Photograph donor R. Teague, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E01200. Zonnebeke, First Battle of Passchendaele. Photographer unknown, photographer sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM H16916. Menin Gate Memorial 1938. Photograph secured by Captain James Murphy of the British War Graves Commission, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll Wilfred Dray Jones
AWM Roll of Honour Wilfred Dray Jones
Guildford Primary School Honour Roll
Guildford War Memorial
NAA: B2455 Jones W D
St Matthew’s Honour Roll
St Matthew’s Honour Roll Fallen
West Australian Newspaper
Western Mail
Wise H. and Coy. Western Australian Post Office Directories. SLWA

20 Hubert Street, Guildford. WA.



 

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