Charles Heseltine JONES

15 June 1917

JONES – Killed in action, May 31st, Corporal Charles Heseltine Jones, aged 19 years, the beloved eldest son of Christopher and Ann Jones, Crown Hotel, Hawes.

“He nobly did his duty.”

JONES – In loving memory of Corporal C. H. Jones who was killed in action on the 31st day of May 1917.

If all were but as kind as he,
Whose body’s ‘neath the sod,
War could not be. We cannot see
In this the hand of God.

From Lizzie, Alice and Lucy.

15 June 1917

HAWES – ANOTHER HERO “GOES WEST”

We regret to record the death of another Hawes soldier in Corporal Charles Jones, K.O.Y.L.I., eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. C. Jones, Crown Hotel, Hawes. The sad news was conveyed in the following letter received on Tuesday from the chaplain:– “It is with the very greatest regret that I write to inform you of the death in action of your boy, Corporal Charles Jones, K.O.Y.L. Infantry. I understand that his death was practically instantaneous, and that he did not suffer. He is buried in the Military Cemetery at -----, and his grave will be marked with a cross bearing his name, rank, &c., in indelible characters. The graves in this cemetery are beautifully kept up by the Military Authorities, and I said the Burial Service over him the day after he was killed. Please accept my deep sympathy in your great bereavement. May God help you to bear it bravely.”

Charlie Jones, as he was familiarly known, was a lad whose cheery spirit and high-souled generosity made him a great favourite with all who knew him, yet to his light-hearted gaiety was allied a deeply studious nature; always thoughtful and considerate, and no parents ever possessed a better son. His intellectual capabilities were of a high order and his short career as a pupil teacher at Hawes Council School was marked with nothing but success. Just after he joined the Colours be received his certificate as a certificated teacher and was to have entered the Leeds Training College. He had a high sense of duty, and the call of his country found with him a ready response. He volunteered his services in November 1914, but owing to a recent attack of rheumatic fever he was rejected. Recovering his health he again volunteered early in 1916 and was accepted into the R. F. A. He was shortly after transferred into the Northumberland Fusiliers, and later again transferred into the K.O.Y.L. Infantry. He went into France last December, and has been in action practically ever since. A mere boy in years, not having yet reached his 20th year, he was a Briton in courage, and although a life bright with promise is cut off, yet the following extract, taken from one of his last letters, proves his heroism and noble sense of duty:– “As I look round I ponder to myself which of us is destined to make the big sacrifice. If it be my fate to make the supreme sacrifice I know it won’t have been in vain, as our cause is the cause of righteousness.”

Such a magnificent spirit cannot fail to rouse feelings of the greatest pride in the breasts of his parents, brothers and sisters, and the knowledge that their boy has nobly fulfilled his duty and won a deathless glory must soften somewhat the poignancy of their great sorrow. He was a valued member of Hawes Church Choir from his early boyhood up to the time of his joining the Army, and when on leave he always occupied his place in the choir.

22 June 1917

HAWES – ST. MARGARET’S CHURCH

At the evening service on Sunday the vicar, Rev. S. D. Crawford, made an impressive reference to the death in action of Corporal H. Jones, for many years a member of the choir and who on the occasion of his last leave partook of Holy Communion -a service he never missed during his sojourn in France, when it was possible for him to attend. The hymns ‘Lead Kindly Light’, ‘Nearer my God to Thee’ and ‘Rock of Ages’ were sung. At the conclusion the ‘Dead March’ was played on the organ by Mr. Haverfield.

10 May 1918

HAWES – Memorial Service

A memorial service for local soldiers fallen in the war during the past year was held in St. Margaret’s Church on Sunday. The names of the soldiers honoured were Private C.H. Jones, Private N.B. Iveson, Pte. M[H]. Cockett, Private R.T. Metcalfe, Private R. Alderson and Gunner M. Calvert. The Hawes Volunteers and Cadets under Second-Lieutenant H.A. Crallen marched to the church. The choir and clergy were preceded to the chancel by Cadet Kenneth Wilson carrying the Union Jack (draped). A special form of service was used, and the hymns ‘Rock of Ages,’ ‘Brief life is here our portion,’ and ‘On the Resurrection Morning’ were sung. The vicar, the Rev. S.D. Crawford, gave an impressive address. The Dead march was played on the organ after the sermon by Mrs. Place, and the ‘Last Post’ sounded by Mr. J. Blades.

31 May 1918

JONES – In proud and loving memory of our eldest beloved son, Corporal Charles Heseltine Jones, K.O.Y.L.I., killed in action June 1st, 1917.

We often think of you dear son,
And the happy days gone by;
And in our lonely hours of thinking
How we wish that you were nigh.
Some may think that we forget him
When they sometimes see us smile,
But they know not the sorrow
That the smile hides all the while.

From Father, Mother, Brothers and Sisters, Crown Hotel, Hawes.

JONES – In proud and loving memory of my dear brother, Corporal Charles Heseltine Jones, K.O.Y.L.I., killed in action June 1st, 1917.

To forget is a vain endeavour,
Love and remembrance live for ever.

Mabel.

30 May 1919

JONES – In proud and loving memory of our eldest beloved son, Corporal Charles Heseltine Jones, killed in action June 1st, 1917.

Two years have passed away,
Remembrance brings back all;
War’s bitter cost, the dear life lost,
But memory lives through all.

Lovingly remembered by all at Crown Hotel, Hawes.

04 June 1920

JONES – In proud and loving memory of our dear son, Corporal Charles Heseltine Jones, who was killed in action June 1st, 1917.

He sleeps with England’s heroes
In the watchful care of God.

Crown Hotel, Hawes.