James Ira Thomas Jones
James Ira Thomas Jones | |
---|---|
Second World War | |
Awards | Distinguished Service Order Military Cross Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar Military Medal |
Other work | Author |
James Ira Thomas "Taffy" Jones
Although having a reputation for crashing his aircraft when attempting to land, Jones recorded 37 victories in just three months whilst flying the
Early life
Ira Jones was born on 18 April 1896, the son of Jane Jones (1866-1949) of Woolstone Farm, near
First World War
In 1913, while working as a clerk, Jones enlisted with the 4th Welsh in the
Jones was awarded the Russian Order of the
Jones was awarded several decorations during the First World War. These included the Military Cross and two Distinguished Flying Crosses. On 3 August 1918, the
In September 1918 Jones was awarded the Military Cross. His citation read:
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer, one of an offensive patrol, engaged and shot down in flames a two-seater, which fell to earth. Ten days later, on offensive patrol, he shot down a Hannover two-seater, which crashed. The next day, when patrolling, he pursued, overtook and shot down an Albatross two-seater. During the same flight he met a Halberstadt two-seater and killed the observer, who either jumped or fell overboard, but had to break off as his ammunition was finished. The next day he shot a balloon down in flames. Three days later he got a good burst with both guns on a Pfalz scout, both wings coming off. He has driven two others down out of control.[7]
Later on in the same month, Jones was awarded a Bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross. The Gazette described Jones as being a "A gallant officer who in the last three months has destroyed twenty-one enemy aeroplanes."[8] In November 1918, Jones was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. His citation read:
Since joining his present Brigade in May last this officer has destroyed twenty-eight enemy machines. He combines skilful tactics and marksmanship with high courage. While engaged on wireless interception duty he followed a patrol of nine Fokker biplanes, and succeeded in joining their formation unobserved. After a while two Fokkers left the formation to attack one of our artillery observation machines. Following them, Captain Jones engaged the higher of the two, which fell on its companion, and both machines fell interlocked in flames.[9]
In June 1918, Jones became a
During the war, he would shoot to kill parachuting enemy pilots saying: "My habit of attacking Huns dangling from parachutes led to many arguments in the mess," he said. "Some officers of the Eton and Sandhurst type thought it 'unsportsmanlike'. Never having been to a public school, I was unhampered by such considerations of 'form'. I just pointed out that there was a bloody war on, and that I intended to avenge my pals."[11][12]
Interwar period
After the end of hostilities, Jones volunteered to fight with the
Second World War
Sources are uncertain as to the extent of Jones' service in the
Jones' age notwithstanding, he was recalled in August 1939 as Chief Signals Officer, Training Command Headquarters. By July, acting Wing Commander Jones was OC No. 7 Bombing and Gunnery School, RAF
Taffy designed an unofficial badge for 53 OTU by adding wings to the tiger head of his 74 Squadron, but I cannot recall the motto. Maybe it was in Welsh. He had a habit of raising his drinking arm to the horizontal when toasting 'One f-f-for the T-t-tiger' in his unfortunate but endearing stutter. Likewise when referring to we, his ground staff, as 'm-my m-mechanics'.[18]
For part of the War, Jones and his wife, Olive, lived in Tylegwyn, New Quay, Cardiganshire[19] at the time that Dylan Thomas and his family were also living in the town. Olive has described her friendship with Thomas’ wife, Caitlin, as well as the occasions when Thomas used Ira Jones’ typewriter to work on his poems.[20]
Later life
After the war he returned to
Death
Jones died on 30 August 1960 after a fall at home in Aberaeron, and was buried at Cana Chapelyard, near Bancyfelin. There is also a special commemoration to Jones by St Clears War Memorial which he had unveiled.[21]
References
- ^ a b c d "James Ira Thomas Jones". The Aerodrome.com. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
- ISBN 9781848512016.
- ^ "Past and Present: Leaves on the tree". cullum.uk.com. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
- ^ See the family tree at Ira Jones family tree
- ISBN 9780870210594.
- ^ "No. 30827". The London Gazette (Supplement). 2 August 1918. p. 9201.
- ^ "No. 30901". The London Gazette (Supplement). 13 September 1918. p. 10973.
- ^ "No. 30913". The London Gazette (Supplement). 20 September 1918. p. 11248.
- ^ "No. 30989". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 November 1918. p. 12960.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-948817-19-9.
- ISBN 978-1-84415-587-3.
- ^ English, Dave. "Great Aviation Quotes: Combat". aviationquotations.com. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
- ^ "No. 32952". The London Gazette. 1 July 1924. p. 5089.
- ^ "No. 34130". The London Gazette. 5 February 1935. p. 845.
- ^ "No. 34304". The London Gazette. 14 July 1936. p. 4512.
- The Bridgeport Post. Bridgeport, Connecticut. 30 August 1960. p. 29. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
- ^ "No. 34949". The London Gazette. 20 September 1940. p. 5580.
- ^ Cossey, Bob, ed. (April 2007). "Taffy Jones" (PDF). Tiger News (44). No. 74 (F) Tiger Squadron Association: 9–10. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
- ^ Register of Electors, 1945
- ^ The interview with Olive is in D.N. Thomas (2004) p100 Dylan Remembered 1935-1953, vol. 2, Seren. For more on Dylan Thomas and Ira Jones in New Quay, see the index of D.N. Thomas (2000) A Farm, Two Mansions and a Bungalow, Seren. See also Dylan’s comment on Ira Jones in his letter about New Quay to Margaret Taylor, August 29 1946, in Collected Letters.
- ^ "The Carmarthenshire Roll of Honour". Laugharne War Memorial. Archived from the original on 8 April 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2008.