Commemorations
Member of the Balaclava Commemoration Society in 1879.
Attended the Annual Dinners in 1897 and 1906.
He was present at the Fleet Street offices of T.H. Roberts for the Jubilee Celebrations of Queen Victoria in June 1897 and signed the testimonial given to Mr. Roberts on that occasion. (There is a copy in the "Memoirs" file.)
From a contemporary newspaper [unknown source, presumably 1897]:
"Among the survivors of the Balaclava Charge who witnessed the procession from the premises of Mr. T H. Roberts, the Fleet Street publisher, was one who had travelled over 4,000 miles to see it. This was Sergeant William Jones. He had left Raportage on the Lake of the Woods, Ontario, on June 2nd, and Montreal on June 6th by the S.S. "Vancouver".
Representatives of the Canadian Regiments were on board, and when they made the acquaintance of the old Balaclava man (Sergeant Jones is seventy) they hardly knew how to make enough of him."
Present at the Coronation procession of King George V (22 June 1911), when he stood, with other veterans, in a place of honour in front of the troops. He was then 85 years of age.
Postcard, Festival of Empire, Crystal Palace, 1911.
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[PB: JW would probably have visited, and may even have played a part in, the associated "Festival of Empire" in Crystal Palace, only a couple of miles from his home in Dulwich.]
Life after service
Various obituaries report he took a number of jobs in London, including policeman, railway station-master, clerk, office messenger, and refer to a "roving disposition" that took him a number of times to Canada, where he crossed the Rockies on foot and prospected for gold. It appears he finally returned to England when he was about 70, in 1897.
On his return home [from the Crimea] he joined the police force, but left it to enter the service of the London and North-Western Railway, eventually being appointed first station-master for Kilburn. This appointment he resigned in order to go to America. He crossed the Rockies twice on foot, long before the railways were in existence; then came back to England, but returned to America, where he joined surveying parties, prospecting for gold etc.
[Source: Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, 9 September 1912 (transcribed at greater length below).]
[PB: When did WJ first go to Canada? How long was he there? He appears in a number of censuses in London (1861, 1881, 1891), and was in London in 1879, so did he make several voyages backwards and forwards? Was he in Canada in 1871? Where were his wife and children while he was in Canada? ]
After leaving army service William married Annie Frances Weston in Plymouth in 1859. In the 1861 Census they are living in Kingston, Surrey, with Annie's two sons from her marriage to John Weston [William, 11, and Francis, 10, both born Oxford] and their daughter Annie Alma [2, said to have been born Plymouth, Devon, but see below], in 1858. William Jones is a Police Constable and his place of birth Heath. Annie [wife] is also born Oxfordshire, at Yarnton, near Woodstock.
[PB:
Annie Alma Jones [daughter]
It appears her birth in 1858 was registered in Stoke Damerel (Devonport/Plymouth), Devon, in the Jan Quarter of 1859, presumably before her parents were married, and this is the place of birth she gave in the 1891 Census.
In the 1891 Census she was staying with her husband, Evan Sennett [sic, actually Sinnett] Jones, Clerk in Holy Orders, born Llansantffraid, Cardigan (Ceredigion), at 2, Ship Street, Oxford. This was the home of her uncle Charles Godfrey, a College Servant, and aunt Caroline Sophia (both born Oxford). (Were they his or her blood relatives? e.g. was Caroline Sophia William Jones's sister?)
But in the 1901 Welsh Census, Annie A Sinnett Jones, 41, reports that she was born in Jersey, the Channel Islands. She was living with her (Church of England) husband in The Vicarage, Capel Curig, near Caernarvon. She has two English "Lady Helps", 22 and 16, both born Oxford, probably sisters.
In the 1911 Welsh Census she is called Annie Alma Sinnett-Jones, 52, married 28 years to Evan Sinnett-Jones (MA Oxon), 55, Clerk in Holy Orders. It again states that she was born Jersey. They are still living in The Vicarage, Capel Curig. The younger of the two servants remains, now 26. Also resident is a Bank Clerk, Evan Cecil Jones Davis, 27, single, also born Llansantffraid, Cardigan (Ceredigion) — clearly a close relative, though this is not stated.
Interestingly, the priest officiating at William Jones's funeral in 1912 was, according to the Shoreditch Observer, 14 September 1912, "The Rev. E. Linnet Jones, of Capel Curig". This must have been Annie Alma's husband, Evan Sinnett Jones.
Ed Conroy states Annie Alma died in 1889, which cannot be so if she is the Annie Alma Sennett/Sinnett Jones in the 1891 and 1901 Censuses.
According to the London Electoral Registers, in 1924 she appears as Annie Alma Sinnett-Jones, living at 27, Hindmans Rd, Dulwich, with John Jones [her brother] and Alma Bidia [?] Grace Jones [John's daughter].
In the 1933, 1934, 1935, 1937 Electoral Registers Annie Alma Sinnett-Jones was living in a room or flat in 24, Redcliffe Square, Kensington and Chelsea. Nearly all of the 13 residents entitled to vote are female.
It is plausible that she is the Annie A.A. Jones whose death aged 86 is recorded in the Caernarvon district, July Quarter 1945. In the
England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007 she appears as "Annie A Sinnett-Jones".
PB: It is worth noticing an Alma Annie Sinnett-Jones, born 20 March 1918, who died in Harlow, Essex, aged 72, in 1990. Born Alma A. Grogan (mother's maiden surname Blake), she married Charles L. Sinnett-Jones in Essex SW April Quarter 1939 (4 a 812). According to the registration of his death, he was born 15 April 1914 [place not given], and died, aged 75, in Harlow in January 1990.
The birth of a "Charles L.S. Jones", mother's maiden name Meney, is recorded in Wandsworth, London, in the April Quarter 1914 (1 d 1400). Could this be him?
How odd that Alma Annie should have been called Alma. Who is "Charles L. Sinnett-Jones" — is he any relation to William Jones, Annie Alma Sinnett-Jones, or John Jones? Did he acquire the surname later in life? E.g. did he adopt it to commemorate (or even as a condition of) inheriting his Annie Alma's worldly wealth, if she had any?
1861 Census: William Jones (Ed Conroy).
[to be transcribed]
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His son John is born 1866 in Camden Town...[They moved to] south London, on the 1881 Census living at 14, Ranelagh Crescent, Camberwell. [JW] is now working as a clerk. Annie died some time in 1889. William Jones continued to work, as an Office Messenger.
1881 Census: 14, Ranelagh Crescent, Camberwell (Ed Conroy).
[to be transcribed]
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According to Illustrated Bits his friends in Canada subscribed the money for him to come to London for the Jubilee Celebrations in 1897. He does not appear to have returned to Canada.
1901 Census: 32, Cooks Road, Newington St Saviours, London (Ed Conroy).
[to be transcribed]
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William Jones, 1911 Census, in the home of his son John (supplied by Wendy Leahy, who remarks "Lovely to see that his granddaughter is called Alma.").
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1911 Census
151, Melbourne Grove, East Dulwich, London.
John Jones, Head, 41, 21 years married, 1 child, still living, Clerk, Conservative House [?], born Pancras, London.
Louisa Emily Rebecca Jones, Wife, 48, Marylebone, London.
Alma [Nadia?] Grace Jones, 20, Single, Shorthand typist, out of work, Kennington, London.
William Jones, Father, 84, Army Pensioner, retired, Heath, Oxfordshire.
151, Melbourne Road, East Dulwich, William Jones's home in 1911. This is presumably where he died in 1912 (Google Street View May 2016).
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Death & burial
Died in East Dulwich, London, on the 31st of August 1912.
Extracts from the United Services Gazette, 14th of September 1912:
4th Hussars — The death has occurred at East Dulwich of ex-Sergeant William Jones, late of the 4th Queen's Own Light Dragoons. He joined the QOLD on the 5th of October 1847, fought at the Alma and Sebastopol and rode in the Charge at Balaclava, where he was wounded in the leg and received a sword cut on the hand. His horse was shot under him on the return from the Valley of Death, but he caught a rider-less horse and succeeded in getting back to the British lines. His funeral, a miitary one, took place at Streatham Cemetery.
With military honours ex-Sergeant W. Jones, who fought at Balaclava, was laid to rest in Streatham Park Cemetery on Saturday. The coffin, draped in the Union Jack and conveyed on a gun-carriage was escorted by a detachment of the regiment and Trumpeter Thompson headed the funeral procession, his trumpet being draped in black crepe.
A strong contingent of the Southwark and Camberwell company of the National Reserve under Colonel Bridges of Southwark marched in front of the late soldier's cortege, Mr J. Jones (son of Sgt William Jones) of Melbourne Grove, East Dulwich and two companies of the Dulwich Boy Scouts brought up the rear. The Revd E. Linnet Jones of Capel Curig, officiated and in addition to the near relatives there were present at the graveside, the Mayor of Camberwell, Mr. T.H. Roberts, (founder of the Balaclava Relief Fund) and Mr W Carr (Secretary of the Regimental Old Comrades Association.). The Mayor of Southwark attended the house before the procession left.
Amongst the many wreaths sent was one from the Officers, Non-commissioned officers and men of his regiment. Men of the National Reserve formed the firing part for the final salute."
He was buried in Streatham Park Cemetery in the same grave as 1608, W.H. Spring, 11th Hussars who had died on the 20th of August and had been buried on the 24th of August 1912.
An appeal was made for a joint memorial by the Balaclava Relief Fund in 1912. Nothing appears to have come of this as the cemetery authorities affirm there is no memorial erected but also state that three other men who were in the Crimea were buried in the same grave at a later date. None of these would appear to have served in the Light Brigade.
See copy of the funeral report taken from the South London Press, 13th of September 1912, in the 4th Hussars file and also a copy of the picture of the funeral taken from the Daily Graphic, 9th of September 1912.
See the 11th Hussar file for a photograph of the grave-area and which proves no memorial stone was erected.
Further information / Notes to added
In September 2016 Ed Conroy wrote to the EJBA and to Wendy Leahy:
I have found 3 obituaries from William Jones's death in 1912 in South London.
One of them mentions his gold-prospecting activities in California.
It explains why a) he did not attend the 1875 banquet at Alexandra Palace Hotel, and b) why he is missing from the 1871 census.
William Jones: Three obituary notices (supplied by Ed Conroy).
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I did find his wife, however:
1871 Census
St Johns Wood Terrace, London.
Annie Jones, 45, visitor, married, b Yarnton, Oxfordshire.
John Jones, 5, visitor, b Camden Town.
Elizabeth Clarke, 70, annuitant, b Somerset.
Wendy replied (8.9.2016):
I've just found a few more clippings. Here's everything I have on William Jones's death.
It seems he was only with the police for a short time after leaving the 4LD. It may be that the records on the National Archives website are pension records, and he might not have served long enough to get a pension, but I must have a closer look at them some time. One of these extracts names his son, John Jones, of Melbourne Grove.
September 1912 [Source?]
The death has just occurred at East Dulwich of ex-Sergt. William Jones, late of the 4th Queen's Own Hussars. He joined the 4th Queen's Own Light Dragoons on October 5, 1847, fought at Sevastopol, Alma, and rode in the chrge of Balaclava, where he was wounded in the leg and received a sword cut on the hand. His horse was shot under him on the return from the 'Valley of Death.' He caught a riderless horse and succeeded in getting back to the British lines. The funeral (which will be a military one) will take place on Saturday at Streatham Park Cemetery.
3 September 1912, Portsmouth Evening News
Balaclava Veteran's Death The death has occurred at East Dulwich of Sergeant William Jones, late of the 4th Queen's Own Hussars, who fought at Sebastopol and Alma, and rode in the famous charge of Balaclava, where he was wounded in the leg by a cannon ball, and also received a sword cut on the hand.
6 September 1912, Western Chronicle
Death of Balaclava Hero The death has occurred at East Dulwich of Sergeant William Jones, late of the 4th Queen's Own Hussars. Joining the 4th Queen's Own Light Dragoons on October 5th, 1847, he fought at Sebastopol and then Alma, and rode in the famous charge of Balaclava, where he was wounded in the leg by a cannon ball, and also received a sword-cut on the hand. His horse was shot under him on the return from the `Valley of Death.' He caught a riderless steed, and got back to the British lines. The funeral, which will be a military one, will take place on Saturday at Streatham Park Cemetery.
9 September 1912, Gloucestershire Echo
A Balaclava Veteran A survivor of the charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava, Sergeant William Jones, who died at the age of eighty-seven, was borne to his grave at Streatham on Saturday on a gun carriage provided by the War Office. Veteran reservists fired a volley over his grave, and a trumpeter of the 4th Hussars sounded the Last Post. Sergeant Jones fought at Sebastopol and Alma, and in the Balaclava charge was wounded in the leg by a cannon ball and his horse shot under him. He captured a riderless horse and managed to get back to the British lines.
Returning to England he joined the police force and then became a stationmaster. He went to America, crossing the Rockies twice on foot. Then he spent another short period in England, and went back to America, where he joined gold-prospectors. He returned to take part with the Balaclava survivors in Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee procession and had since been supported by the Balaclava Relief Fund.
9 September 1912, Yorkshire Evening Post
One of the Six Hundred Sergeant whose Horse was Shot Under Him In a quiet portion of the cemetery at Streatham Park, London, Sergeant William Jones, one of the last of the heroes of the famous charge of Balaclava, has been buried with all the honours due to one who fought gallantly for his country. Jones, an Oxfordshire man by birth died a week ago, aged 87, at his residence in Melbourne Grove, East Dulwich. During the charge of the Light Brigade he was wounded in the leg and his horse was shot under him, but he captured a riderless mount and managed to get back to the British lines without further mishap. The coffin was borne on a gun carriage provided by the War Office, and a small company of the 4th Hussars came specially from the Curragh to act as bearers.
9 September 1912, Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer
A Balaclava Hero's Funeral Sergeant William Jones, one of the last of the heroes of the charge of Balaclava, was buried with military honours in Streatham Cemetery on Saturday. Sergeant Jones, who was born in 1826, had had an adventurous career. Having served his time as a draper in London, he enlisted in the 4th Queen's Own Hussars, and was made sergeant during the Crimean war. He fought at Sebastopol and Alma, and rode in the famous charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava, where he was wounded in the leg by a cannon ball, his horse being shot under him. He captured a riderless horse and managed to get back to the British lines without further mishap.
On his return home he joined the police force, but left it to enter the service of the London and North-Western Railway, eventually being appointed first station-master for Kilburn. This appointment he resigned in order to go to America. He crossed the Rockies twice on foot, long before the railways were in existence; then came back to England, but returned to America, where he joined surveying parties, prospecting for gold etc.
He spent some years in the woods, and when 70 years of age, his fellow-workers having subscribed his passage money, he came to England, and, with 73 other Balaclava survivors, witnessed the late Queen's Diamond Jubilee procession. Mr. T.H. Roberts (who on that occasion founded the I.B. Balaclava Relief Fund) persuaded Sergeant Jones to stop in England, as he was then getting past work, and for the last 15 years of his life he had been kept in comparative comfort by means of Mr. Roberts's fund.
A sergeant-major, sergeant, corporal, private, and trumpeter were sent from Curragh Camp, Ireland, to represent his old regiment at the funeral. The coffin was borne on a gun carriage provided by the War Office and driven by men of the Army Service Corps, and among those who followed were the Mayor of Camberwell, the Mayor of Southwark, and Mr. T.H. Roberts (of the Balaclava Fund.)
14 September 1912, Framlingham Weekly News
Balaclava Hero Buried In the cemetery at Streatham Park, Sergeant William Jones, one of the last of the heroes of the famous charge of Balaclava, was laid to rest on Saturday, with all the honours due to one who had fought gallantly for his country. Jones, an Oxfordshire man by birth, died a week ago aged eighty-seven, at his residence in Melbourne-grove, East Dulwich. During the charge of the Light Brigade he was wounded in the leg by a cannon ball and his horse was shot under him; but he captured a riderless mount and managed to get back to the British lines without further mishap.
On his return to England he joined the police force, and, after serving some time, left and entered the service of the L. and N.W. Railway, eventually being appointed first stationmaster for Hilburn [sic]. But, being of a roving disposition, he left the railway company and went to America, crossing the Rockies twice on foot, joining surveying parties, and prospecting for gold, etc. It was not till 1897 that he returned, in order that he might join the other seventy-three survivors who witnessed Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee procession, and he was then persuaded to stop in the country.
14 September 1912, Peterborough Advertiser
Sergeant William Jones, a Balaclava veteran, has been buried at Streatham. He had been a draper and a policeman, station-master at Kilburn when the London and North-Western Railway first went there, had twice crossed the Rockies on foot, gold prospecting, and came back to England with other Crimean veterans at the time of the Diamond Jubilee.
14 September 1912, Shoreditch Observer
Southwark With military honours, one of the dwindling band of survivors of the famous charge at Balaclava, Sergeant William Jones, of the 4th Queen's Own Hussars, was laid to rest in Streatham Park Cemetery on Saturday afternoon. The coffin, draped with a Union Jack, and conveyed on a gun carriage, was escorted by a detachment of the 4th Hussars, and Trumpeter Thompson headed the funeral procession, his trumpet being wreathed in crépe. Strong contingents of the Southwark and Camberwell companies of the National Reserve, under Colonel Bridges, of Southwark, marched in front of the gun carriage, which left the residence of the late soldier's son, Mr. John Jones, in Melbourne-grove, East Dulwich, and two companies of the Dulwich Boy Scouts took up the rear. Large numbers of spectators lined the whole of the long route.
The Rev. E. Linnet Jones, of Capel Curig, officiated, and in addition to near relatives there were present at the graveside the Mayor of Camberwell, Mr. T.H. Roberts (founder of the Balaclava Relief Fund), and Mr. W. Cann (secretary of the 4th Hussars' Old Comrades' Association). The Mayor of Southwark attended at the house before the procession left. Among many wreaths sent was one from officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the 4th Hussars. National Reservists formed a firing party.
