Private George Jones 54267, 18th Battalion Canadian Infantry. A British lad from Birkenhead, George had emigrated to Canada shortly before the war. Once war came he was swift to volunteer. He joined the Canadian Army on the 5th January 1915 and sailed for Britain a short time later. He was even able to marry Sarah Quigley in Birkenhead in May 1915. George served with the 18th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry, 2nd Canadian Division. As a British lad in the Canadian Army he was not alone, not until 1918 did Canadians outnumber 'foreigners' in the Canadian Army.
The battalion first went into the line in September 1915, fought its first major action in April 1916 at St Elois Craters, Ypres. The battalion then fought in every major action of the war, as did George. At the Somme, Hill 70, Vimy Ridge, Passhcendaele and the final 'Hundred Days' from Amiens to Mons.
George served through all these battles, was wounded when he was at Ypres in 1916. Whilst convalescing at home his only child, Margaret, was conceived. After returning to France he was again home, from February until May 1917 suffering from pluerisy.
On the 8th August 1918 the British 4th Army (though it contained Canadian and Australian Divisions) launched the Battle of Amiens. This was the first day of the 'Hundred Days' which smashed through the German lines and ultimately ended the war. Not for nothing is it sometimes known as 'The Greatest Day'.
On that day the 18th Canadian Infantry, as part of the 4th Canadian Brigade was to advance from a start line south of Villers Bretonneux to the village of Marcelcave, where they would consolidate and allow the rest of the division to pass through.
The Battalion advanced in thick fog, supported by tanks. However the fog left visibility limited and the tanks were not initially able to offer much support. There was no preliminary barrage in order to maintain surprise, however at Zero hour a barrage was laid down on the enemy positions immediately to the Brigades front as they jumped off.
The 18th Battalion advanced towards Marcelcave and assisted the 14th Battalion who were held up by strong defences within Morgemont Wood. The 18th Battalion assisted in the assault and capture of the German defences within. The 18th Battalion. then continued its advance towards its objective, acheiving it at 10.00am, digging in south of Marcelcave.
During the 3/12 hours of fighting the Battalion captured five heavy 5.9inch (150 mm) Howitzers and three 77mm field guns. The brigade as a whole captured 900 to 1000 prisoners. Casualties for 18th Battalion. where light (for the period) with 30 killed and 120 wounded.
Unfortunately for George he was one of those casualties. At some time on the 8th August George was wounded, reputedly by shrapnel to his shoulder. He was evacuated to a Field Hospital where he died from his wounds on 9th August 1918. He was 31 years old.
George is buried at Crouy-Sur-Somme cemetary, plot V.D.6.
Dave Lee