Isaac Roger Jones

This story and photo is shared by the Trust with kind permission from Adrian Hughes, Home Front Museum, Llandudno

Isaac Roger Jones was born on the 20th September 1900. He was the son of John and Mary Jones, Victoria Terrace, Conwy. His father had been working as a private gardener but then became the sexton of St Mary’s Church, Conwy and his mother was employed as the caretaker. The family were well-known in Conwy as Mary Jones’ mother had conducted a butchery business in the town for many years. Isaac went to school at Conwy Boys School and was a choir boy at the St Mary’s Church.

Isaac served in both the First and Second World Wars. He had been working as a railway engine cleaner but he joined the Royal Navy for 12 years as soon as he turned 18 on the 20th September 1918. He served on HMS Iron Duke as an acting stoker and then stoker between April 1919 and 19 January 1920. He then served at the shore base of HMS Victory II until he was given a free discharge and was demobbed on the 4th June 1921 on the proviso that he was willing to join Royal Fleet Reserve. He did so for 21 years and was demobbed from the reserve on the 4th October 1938.

After he was demobbed from the Royal Navy, he returned home and was living with his parents and sister at 20 Rose Hill Street, Conwy. He rejoined the railways where he was employed as a Fireman Cleaner for the North Western Railway at Llandudno Junction Loco Department before transferring to Birkenhead. At some point he met and married Elizabeth Jones of Llansanffraid Glan Conwy and they had one child.

At the beginning of the Second World War, he was called up and posted to HMS Victory II, the administrative and accommodation depot for Stokers and ERA's and HMS Victory IV, Portsmouth and then Greenwich. Each one was a holding shore-based establishment, whilst he waited for a posting to a ship.

He was posted to HMS Halsted in 1944. But Stoker Isaac Roger Jones of Watkin Street, Conwy was killed when HMS Halsted was torpedoed by a German E-boat on 11th of June 1944 in the English Channel. Isaac was 43 years of age.

His body was brought back to the UK and his funeral took place at Haslar Naval Cemetery on Monday 19 June. It was attended by his father, John; his sister, Mrs Mair Hughes; and a friend, Ellis Williams. His mother, Mary, had died the year before.

News of his death and funeral appeared in the North Wales Weekly News of 22 June 1944. Only a few close family could attend due to travel restrictions and a memorial service was held on the 25th June 1944 in the parish church in Conwy.

Source: North Wales Weekly News of 29 June 1944