JONES, Bert

Bert Jones lived at 15 Cherry Street, Stourbridge, and was one of two brothers killed in 1918. He worked at Baylie's chain works and volunteered for service, probably in 1914. He joined the 9th (Service) Battalion of the Worcesters who were sent to Gallipoli in June 1915 and then to Mesopotamia in 1916. In three a half years' service he had been wounded three times and twice torpedoed by submarines. By September 1918 the Turkish forces had been driven out of Mesopotamia and the Worcesters, somewhat amazingly, reached the Caspian Sea and Baku. In the last battle of the campaign Baku was taken with light casualties. However, one of the few killed was Private Bert Jones. He was 21 years of age and is commemorated on the Teheran, Stourbridge and St. Thomas' church Memorials.