W Jones

Rank: Private

Regiment: E Company, Royal Sussex Regiment

Address: 94 Manor Road, Hastings

Other Info: Wounded in the left arm, which subsequently needed to be amputated. Recovering in hospital at Chatham.

An article published in the Hastings & St Leonards Observer on 14th November 1914 says: “A young Hastinger, Private W Jones, 2nd Royal Sussex Regiment, of 94 Manor Road, has had the misfortune to lose his hand in the Battle of the Aisne.

‘We had been in the firing line about two hours, and it was getting a bit warm, and one of the German officers showed his handkerchief on a sword for surrender.’ said he. ‘We took their rifles and ammunition from them, when the German Artillery opened up on us. Of course, everybody scattered. A piece of shell caught my rifle and another piece struck my hand. I was a bit dazed and did not know at first that I was wounded.’ Luckily, a comrade bandaged his hand and arm, and he got back to the village hospital.

This was on the 15th September, close to a village called Vailly. Private Jones had been in action once before on the 10th. Vailly is about 3 1/2 miles from the Aisne.

Private Jones described how the Germans would sometimes leave their trenches and run behind haystacks for cover. He shares the opinion of many that the mass formation of the Germans is largely due to the fear that their officers would not otherwise have control of the men, and that too many would surrender. ‘Our Artillery have done good work, and so have our Lancers.’ The cavalry appeared to have been very unselfish on occasion when they would get off their horses and let infantry ride if they were tired out.

‘They are very kind-hearted people’ said he, speaking of the French. ‘They will give you anything’.

Private Jones’ hand and wrist were amputated on the boat, during his voyage back, as it was feared that mortification would set in. Since coming back to England he spent some time as his colonel’s place, at Teston, near Wateringbury.

Published: September 1914

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