The Kenneth Petrie Collection, Part 2

A Great War 1916 ‘French theatre’ M.M. group of three awarded to Private R. R. Jones, 18th (Service) Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps (Arts and Crafts) Military Medal, G.V.R. (C-6034 Pte R. R. Jones. 18/K.R.R.C.) edge additionally engraved ‘July 12th 1916.’ after naming details; British War and Victory Medals (6034 Pte. R. R. Jones. K.R.R.C.) cleaned, nearly very fine (3) £300-£400 --- M.M. London Gazette 23 August 1916. Reginald R. ‘Babs’ Jones was a native of Biggleswade, and served with the 18th (Service) Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps (Arts and Crafts) on the Western Front. His act of gallantry is described thus in a local Biggleswade paper of the time: ‘Private Reginald R. Jones of the Rifle Brigade [sic] has been awarded the Military Medal for his bravery in the field on July 6th. On that occasion, although exposed to a perfect hail of shells from the German batteries, he brought in from ‘No Man’s Land’ no less than seven of his comrades who had been wounded, with some 50 others of ‘A’ Company, in one of the big struggles which formed a part of the great advance of the Allied Forces on the Western Front during that period. Private Jones is the eldest son of Mr Walter Jones of Romford, formerly chief goods clerk at Biggleswade Station, and his grandfather, Mr T. C. Jones of Alexandra Villa, formerly Station Master of Biggleswade... Private Jones, M.M., is still but a boy in years for he has not yet reached his eighteenth birthday. The youngest of the regiment, he is familiarly known among his comrades as ‘Babs’. He enlisted in the eighteenth Battalion of the Rifle Brigade [sic] soon after the outbreak of the war and has spent many months on the Western Front. According to the testimony of some of the senior non-commissioned officers of the regiment this is not the first time that this heroic lad has displayed great courage during periods of great danger.... Since the above period, Private Jones has again displayed heroism, and he has received from the General Officer Commanding the Brigade card stating the General’s recognition and appreciation of the gallantry of Private Jones on July 12th, when he crossed ‘No Man’s Land’ on three occasions under shell fire towing wounded comrades.’ Sold with small leather scrapbook containing newspaper cuttings, some relating to recipient including photographic image of him in uniform; photographic images of recipient in later life.