Description
A Good immediate Distinguished Conduct medal for Givenchy 18th April 1918 and Military medal for Herzeele, 28th November 1917 to the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment.
Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. , 22193 L. Cpl. – A. Cpl. – O. Jones. M.M. 1/L.N. Lan: R.; Military Medal, G.V.R. , 22193 L. Cpl. O. Jones. 1/L.N. Lanc: R.; 1914-15 Star , 22193 Pte. O. Jones. L.N. Lan: R.; British War and Victory Medals, 22193 Sjt. O. Jones. L.N. Lan. R. Mounted for display.
Distinguished Conduct Medal: – London Gazette 3rd September 1918:
22193 L/Cpl (A/Cpl) O. Jones, M.M., “D” company 1st Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (Ardwick).
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During an enemy attack, preceded by a bombardment, directly the barrage lifted he brought his Lewis gun into action, causing severe losses to the enemy, and materially helping to stop their advance. He kept his gun in action until the whole of the detachment became casualties and the gun itself was so severely damaged by enemy fire as to be unworkable. He then took charge of the platoon, the sergeant of which had become a casualty. Throughout the action he exhibited fine coolness and great powers of leadership.”
The Battalion War Diary adds the following detail: –
18th April 1918:
“At 4.15 AM the enemy commenced to bombard the whole of the Division’s front. The barrage became intense and at 8.10 the enemy attacked from the North filtering into our trenches under cover of the high ground at GIVENCHY. He succeeded in reaching and occupying the main line of resistance before counter measures could be taken. Vigorous counter attacks by “C” and “D” companies eventually succeeded in ejecting the enemy from our main line and by 11 AM he was only holding a few isolated posts in our outpost line.”
This being an immediate award Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallantry on the 18th April 1918 at GIVENCHY,.
Military Medal: – London Gazette 23rd February 1918:
“… for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.”
No. 22193 Lance Corporal O. Jones “D” company 1st Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment.
The Battalion War Diary adds the following detail: –
28th November 1917:
“The following N.C.Os. and men were awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the first tour of the battalion in the line: –
“…. ‘D’ Company – No. 22193 Lance Corporal O. Jones …”
Oswald Jones was a native of Ardwick, Manchester, he enlisted for Army service on the 9th September 1914. At the time of his attestation he was 20 years and 9 months of age and employed as a warehouseman.
22193 Private Oswald Jones joined the ranks of the 1st Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. Embarking for the front he landed in France on the 22 June 1915. He joined the 1st Battalion at BETHUNE, where the whole of the battalion were billeted in the swimming bathes.
On the 17th October 1918 Sergeant O. Jones D.C.M., M.M. was wounded in action when he received a gun shot wound to the right shoulder.
He was admitted to Paisley War Hospital on the 23rd October 1918 and was not discharged until the 20th December 1918 a total of 58 days. Jones’ admission documents state: –
“Wounded 17/10/1918 – through and through wound on top of right shoulder.”
55th (West Lancashire) Division History states: –
“The Division was able to recover its reputation in 1918 when it was charged with the defence of Givenchy during the second phase of the German Spring Offensive, Operation Georgette or the Battle of the Lys, 9-15 April. The Defence of Givenchy was the single most famous action that the Division fought.”
“It was afterwards publicly stated by an officer of the German General Staff that the stand made by the Division on 9 April and the days which followed marked the final ruination of the supreme German effort of 1918”, says the Divisional history.”
Extract from the battalion orders 1st Loyal North Lancashire Regiment.
No. 7. Of 22/5/18 Honours and Awards.
The commanding officer has great pleasure in announcing that under the authority delegated by His Majesty the King the Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief has awarded the following decorations: –
The Distinguished Conduct Medal
22193 L/Cpl. O. Jones M.M., (Now L/Sergt)
The 1st Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment in the First World War.
04.08.1914 Stationed at Aldershot as part of the 2nd Brigade of the 1st Division.
13.08.1914 Mobilised for war and landed at Havre and engaged in various actions on the Western Front including;
During 1914: The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, First Battle of Ypres.
During 1915; Winter Operations 1914-15, The Battle of Aubers, The Battle of Loos.
During 1916; The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval.
During 1917; The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Second Battle of Passchendaele.
07.02.1918 Transferred to the 1st Brigade of the same Division and continued to engage in various actions on the Western Front including;
During 1918; The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Hazebrouck, The Battle of Bethune, The Battle of Drocourt-Queant, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of Beaurevoir, The Battle of the Selle, The Battle of the Sambre.
11.11.1918 Ended the war in France, Fresnoy-le-Grand S.W. of Bohain.
25 June 1915 – LAPUGNOY
“A draft of 184 NCOs and men under 2nd Lieutenant Livesley joined the battalion. The draft are chiefly composed of men from the Manchester Regiment and look a very sound lot of men.
27 June 1918 – LAPUGNOY
“The battalion left billets at 11 AM to relieve the Hants. Regiment. A, B & “D” Companies in the firing line C Company in support.
2 July 1918
“In Sub-section Z.I. The battalion were relieved at 3 PM by the 1st Northants. Relief completed by 6 PM. Billeted at SAILLY LA BOURSE>
men arrived”
“A draft of 30 men arrived” … it being highly probable that this dratf included Private 22193 Oswald Jones.
Jones was allocated to “D” company 1st Battalion commanded by Lieutenant C.P.R. Diner. The battalion at this time being at rest and training.
25 July 1915 – NOYELLES
“The Battalion relieved the 1st Northants in sub-section Y.I. the relief being completed by 11PM. “D” Company were in the position ‘Left – Front Company.’ … At this point, “The German Lines are on average a good 500 yards distant.”
25/06/15 LAPUGNAY / ALLOUAGNE
War diary extracts ref 1915 1916 1917 service here
The 1st Battalion were part of the BEF (2nd Brigade in 1st Division) and landed in France on 13th August 1914. The Battalion originally comprised of regular pre-war soldiers. They were the only LNL battalion at Mons, and subsequently were part of the ‘Great Retreat’. They were present at; Marne, Aisne, Ypres, Langemarck 1914, Gheluvelt, Nonne Bosschen, Givenchy 1914, Aubers, Loos, Somme, Albert 1916, Bazentin, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval, Arras, Messines 1917, Passchendaele, Lys, Bethune, Drocourt-Queant, Hindenburg Line, Epehy, St. Quentin Canal, Selle and Sambre. In February 1918 they were transferred to 1st Brigade, 1st Division. The 1st were the only LNL battalion to qualify for the 1914 Star, the majority of recipients also being awarded the clasp ‘5th Aug.-22nd Nov. 1914’ for being under-fire at Mons.
22193 Sergeant Oswald Jones DCM MM was discharged from the Army on the 20th March 1919. He was examined by the Pensions Board in Manchester on the 20th March 1920. The board concluding that he had a 30% limitation/restriction due to the Gun Shot Wound he received in his Right Shoulder.
Military Medal:
1st Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment – war diary states:
Near HERZEELE 28 November 1917.
“The following N.C.Os. and men were awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the first tour of the battalion in the line; – …. “D” Company:- No. 22193 Lance Corporal O. Jones …”
1st Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment – war diary states:
Report on operations 17/9/18 to 24/9/18
15th (Sep’t.) VERMAND
Night 16/17th The Battalion relieved the 1st Battalion Gloster Regiment in the line on the right of the Brigade Sector.
17th On the morning of the 17th in conjunction with operations carried out by the right flank division, the Battalion front was straightened by the right company establishing a post on the high ground in M.25.C.
Sergeant O. Jones DCM MM was wounded in action during the movements on the 17th October 1918 when he received a gun shot wound to the right shoulder. The bullet passing straight through his shoulder in what medical reports state as a “through and through wounds on ??? of shoulder.”
By the end of these operations the Battalions casualties were: –
Officers – Killed 3 Wounded 12 Missing 1
Other Ranks – Killed 72 Wounded 209 Missing 17
Two officers and 300 Ors were captured and 45 mating Guns taken. Approximately 4 officers and 150 Ors joined during the month.
Condition – NE
NOTE: Sorry we cannot accept payment by PayPal for this item, We can accept payment by Credit / Debit Card, Bank Transfer or Cheque.
