In memory of Robert David Jones
Robert David Jones was born in 1881. He was the second son of Ann Jones, who lived at Bryn Arfon in Brynmor Terrace, Penmaenmawr. The family belonged to the Congregational chapel. In the chapel bazaar in 1902, Robert won first prize in the “Sapon soap washing competition”.
He emigrated to New Zealand a few months later. The North Wales Weekly News reported in 1910 that he was an international footballer for New Zealand and took a “keen interest in the rugby game”.
In 1913 he moved to Australia and by August 1914, when he enlisted in the army, he was living at Shellharbour, New South Wales. His occupation was quarry manager. His last employer in the industry was probably The South Coast Road Metal Quarries Ltd of Sydney.
He embarked at Sydney on HMAT Euripides on 20 October 1914. He wrote, in Welsh, to his brother after reaching Egypt on 3 December. “We were all disappointed at being sent to Cairo. When we left Australia we were going to England, but war broke out with Turkey and we were sent here.” In November, his transport ship had been 18 miles from HMAS Sydney when the latter wrecked the German light cruiser SMS Emden, which had destroyed many ships and shore facilities.
Robert expected to be sent to France “when we have settled the Turk in Syria”. Meanwhile, he added: “We camp a few hundred yards from the Pyramids, and have a marvellous view.”
Robert was killed in action at the Dardanelles on 27 April 1915, aged 34. His comrades had to lie flat to dig his grave (pictured left), to avoid being shot themselves. The grave was subsequently lost and Robert is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial, Turkey. A local newspaper reported that he was the first Penmaenmawr man killed in the war.
His mother received a note of condolence signed by Lord Kitchener. In early 1916, Robert’s personal effects were collected from the front and carried by Thomas Cook & Son to Mrs Jones. His effects were: a wristlet, two diaries, a prayer book, photos, an Egyptian table piece and three handkerchiefs. Mrs Jones applied to receive Robert’s incapacity pension but the authorities deemed that there was “no proof of dependence or inadequate means”.
