Jones, PTE William Hartley

William Hartley Jones (1884-1947), soldier and Grazier, was born on Kangaroo Island, SA, Australia to William and Louisa Jones.

Jones came to Western Australia in 1897 (Age 13) and married Lily Jones at Fremantle on the 9th of April 1912. From 1913 to 1916 they had 3 sons and moved to Brookton, Wheatbelt, WA.

Jones enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force on the 8th of January 1917 and was posted to the 7th Reinforcements, 44th Australian Infantry Battalion. He embarked for overseas service later that month and began training in England. However, he got very sick Hemoptysis and was medically discharged to Australia in September 1917 without having served in France. Consequently, he did not receive any battle honours or a Victory Medal.

The wife and family moved to South Fremantle during the war.

After the war, the Jones family had another 2 sons and 1 daughter.

Jones moved to Bridgetown during the Interwar, or WW2 period. William Jones died in Bridgetown on the 6th of February 1947 at the age of 62 suddenly after an operation in the Bridgetown Hospital.

Jones was an Australian soldier who was an expert in close combat,
He was physically and mentally tough, compassionate and courageous,
He led by example, he strove to take the initiative,
He was committed to learning and working for the team,
He believed in trust, loyalty and respect for his country, his mates and the Army,
The rising sun was his badge of honour,
He is an Australian soldier, Always!

Record completed by Luca Muir Anderson

SOURCES

Manjimup Mail and Jardee-Pemberton-Northcliffe Press (7/02/1947, P.12)

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