Christ College Remembers…Lieutentant Harold Madoc Jones

He left at the end of the Midsummer Term of 1892 with a scholarship to University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. After graduating with Honours in Classics, he became a schoolmaster and taught Classics at Llandudno, Llangefni in Angelsey, Porth, and Cardigan County school.

At the outbreak of war he left Cardigan school and enlisted as a Private in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in February 1915, joining the 19th Service Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He was later transferred into the 17th Service Battalion and entered France on 4th December 1915. Quickly he became an experienced officer in the front-line trenches and was Mentioned in Despatches twice, the second time for “his share of the good work” at Mametz Wood during the Somme offensive of late July 1917.

After two days of hand-to-hand fighting, on 31st July the Battalion was ordered to take Pilckem Ridge. While on patrol, Harold saw a Corporal wounded. He tried to save him but was shot by an enemy sniper. He was buried on the battlefield, near Langemarck.

Lieutenant Harold Madoc Jones is remembered on the Wraysbury Baptist Chapel, along with his cousin Gordon Doulton East. Both men were killed on the same day in the same battle. Lieutenant Harold Madoc Jones is also remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial as well as on the Christ College War Memorial.