Thomas Alfred Jones VC, and Runcorn, His statue, His Grave and Runcorn Cemetery

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"Todger Jones" is simply one of the most famous and remarkable VC's of the great War.

 

I had the pleasure of visiting his statue in his home town of Runcorn recently and I though that I would share these images.

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The bronze statue of Pte Jones has been placed in Runcorn Memorial Gardens following a local fundraising appeal.

 

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The explanatory plaque is located next too the statue:-

The explanatory plaque is located next too the statue:-

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The attention to detail is excellent, note the bullet hole to the Helmet.

Famously "Todger" remarked:-

 

“Looking back and thinking over the incident, I feel that I must have had what the poets call ‘a charmed life’, for, after jumping out of the trench and before I had accounted for the sniper in the tree, a bullet went through my helmet and was buzzing round my head-piece like a marble in a basis, finally galloping down my back and burning me during the journey. Four or five other bullets passed through my tunic, but I wasn’t aware of it until afterwards. It never entered my mind that I should be killed and I didn’t think my time had come.”

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Images of the Victoria Cross and Distinguished Conduct Medal are engraved at his feet.

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The attention to detail: - note the fingernails.

 

The statue has been placed opposite the cenotaph in the memorial gardens, which bears the name of Pte Jones's younger brother, who died after being shot by a sniper.

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The memorial garden itself is nicely done and stands at the intersection of several roads in the town.

 

The unveiling of the statue was preceded by a parade by the Cheshire Regiment Association, Halton and Widnes British Legions, Runcorn Veterans and Navy Associations, the Heroes of the Somme military flute band and local school and scout groups. It was unveiled in August 2014 to be in time for the 100 Centenary of the start of the Great War.

 

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Todger was born in Runcorn on Christmas Day in 1880 and spent his whole life living in the town.

He died on the 30th January 1956 aged 75 and is buried in the local Cemetery.

 

This is his grave:-

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Todger is buried in the family plot, these being his relatives:-

 

 

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His grave memorial is unique and bears a carving of the Victoria Cross.

These images have just been taken and bear the wreath laid following the Remembrance Sunday. 

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Here is his memorial Paving Stone which is located in front of his statue in the memorial Garden.

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The statue lies in the memorial garden which is directly across road from the Runcorn War Memorial.

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After his death, Jones’ family donated his medals to the Cheshire Regiment’s Museum. They can be seen today in the Cheshire Military Museum.

I took these images on a previous visit:-

 

Edited 20 November , 2016 by Kitchener's Bugle

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The museum located in Chester also has this fine memorial to the man:-

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Here is his actual Helmet complete with bullet hole from the regimental museum:-

 

 

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This fine bespoke plaque is also located in the museum:-

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Here is a famous post card which depicts the moment when he threatened to throw more grenades into the German trench/dugout and the subsequent German surrender.

Some sources believe that there may have been as many as 150 prisoners taken but that some were lost on the trek back, possibly due to shell and small arms fire.

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And finally here is the man himself:-

 

I hope that this post has done him some justice. What a truly remarkable man he was and I am sure that anyone from his home town of Runcorn must be extremely proud to have one of their sons as one of histories must gallant Victoria Cross recipients.

 

 

 

Edited 20 November , 2016 by Kitchener's Bugle

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Here is footage of his homecoming back to Runcorn.

 

 

And here is a remarkable piece of trench art found on the Antiques Roadshow:-

 

 

[MBrockway]

Yet another wonderful post, KB.  Thank you so much for telling this amazing story.

Mark

[Fattyowls]

Absolutely cracking post KB. I knew about Jones but it is great to have the whole story in one place and multimedia too. Hope all is well with you in Middle Earth.

 

Pete.

 

 

[Stephen Nulty]

Hard to believe that it's almost eight years since I stumbled on his story

 

great pics kb, thanks for sharing

 

 

Edited 20 November , 2016 by Stephen Nulty

[MBrockway]

Stephen - I've added a cross-link back to here into your original Topic.

Mark

[Stephen Nulty]

Thanks Mark

[Kitchener's Bugle]

Many thanks for all of your feedback!. Glad you enjoyed learning a little more about this remarkable man. 

 

KB