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Death of an Airman: George Alfred Prime Jones

26/5/2016

7 Comments

 
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When I was researching the names on the Southborough War Memorial I discovered many touching stories, a number of which featured men who lost their lives in training, no less poignant than those who were killed in action. George Jones died   in an air-crash 100 years ago this week, on a fine May morning in Kent.
 
George was born in Bolotwa, a town in Eastern Cape, South Africa. He came from a line of men who had served in the military. His father, WC Prime Jones, a Government Magistrate in Whittlesea, South Africa, had previously served with the Cape Mounted Rifles; his grandfather was Captain Richard Walker Jones, of Park Place, Sevenoaks Common, and his great-grandfather was Captain Richard Jones, RN, of Warehorn, Tenterden.
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George lived with his aunts at ‘Ampthill’, 46 Pennington Road, Southborough,  and he was educated at Skinners' School in Tunbridge Wells, where he had been a member of the Officers’ Training Corps. George was well-known locally, particularly as a sportsman. A keen cricketer and footballer, he had played for Tunbridge Wells, Southborough, and several times for the Rangers (his prowess as a goalkeeper was “envied by every custodian in the district. Standing 6 ft 4 ins, his reach is a great asset, and he knows how to make the best use of it”). He had been asked to play for Tottenham Hotspur, and soon after joining the Army he had turned out for Brighton and Hove Albion.

He obtained a commission as Lieutenant in the 8th Battalion of The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) soon after the outbreak of the First World War, and went to the Front on 31st August 1915. He was wounded on 26 September in the Battle of Loos and promoted to Captain the following day. The Courier of 8 October reported:

‘He had an extremely narrow escape, a bullet striking his belt and glancing off, inflicting a flesh wound. A few minutes after - before he had recovered from the shock - a shell burst just behind him and rendered him unconscious for half an hour from concussion.’

About six months later, in the early Spring of 1916, George was attached to the Royal Flying Corps, then in its infancy, having been formed just four years earlier in April 1912. The Courier of 2 June 1916 reported that he "entered into the study and practice of aviation with the same enthusiasm that he has shown in everything else.  He had gained his pilot's certificate, and in about a fortnight or three weeks would probably have gained his 'wings'."

On the morning of 28 May, 1916, George went up as a passenger with Lieutenant Tennant, who had 20 hours flying time under his belt, for a practice flight from a local aerodrome in Kent. A police constable was on duty at the field being used by the authorities as a landing site, and at the inquest held two days later he reported that at 11am he "saw the biplane descend with Lieutenant Tennant acting as pilot, deceased being in the observer’s seat. They got out, had a smoke and a chat, and were both very cheerful, commenting on the fine morning. They stayed about a quarter-of-an-hour, and then prepared to return. The machine was not more than 100 feet up, when it appeared to gradually turn to the left, and then side-dipped, taking a nose-dive to the ground. Witness got to the spot two or three seconds after the machine fell, and found that Lieutenant Tennant had been thrown two or three feet clear of the machine, and was apparently badly injured, but was still living. Captain Jones was still in the machine, but was quite dead. It took about three-quarters-of-an-hour to get him out. Witness described his injuries, and said death was absolutely instantaneous. His wrist watch was still going when he was got away from the machine."

George Jones was given a military funeral at Southborough Cemetery, his coffin borne from his home on a gun-carriage drawn by six black horses. The mourners included his uncle, aunts Florrie, Leila and Maud, and officers and men of the Royal Flying Corps, but sadly, several members of his family  were unable to arrive in time. There are several other airmen buried in Southborough Cemetery, but Captain Jones must surely be the earliest.
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As regards Lieutenant Tennant, this link indicates that he survived this accident, only to be killed one year later on the Somme.

His photograph can be seen here. 

For an account of the conditions encountered by RFC airmen in France, I can highly recommend this link, featuring Fighter Pilot Cecil Arthur Lewis, one of the founders of the BBC (unless the current Government's commands to the BBC have meant dismounting this section from the BBC's superb website!).

7 Comments
Amanda Bicknell
11/6/2016 01:10:28 am

Thank you for this article, George was engaged to my grandmother and we have many photos of him in her albums. I was doing some research on him to go with the photos and so it was nice to find you had done it for me.

Reply
Judith Johnson link
12/6/2016 09:55:10 am

Wow! How thrilling, as ever, to hear from a relative of one of the Southborough men! I tried my best to find relatives when I was researching the book, and it is so gratifying when a blog leads me to a family member! Needless to say, if you were willing, it would be wonderful to add some of your grandmother's story and photos to my SWM Extra page on the website. Of course I would understand if you preferred not to! All best wishes, Judith.

Reply
Judith Johnson link
12/6/2016 09:59:25 am

PS So sorry, Amanda, in my enthusiasm I incorrectly referred to you as a relative of George's, whereas, of course, as you explained, you are the grand daughter of his fiancee. Still very exciting, and thank you so much for getting in touch!

Amanda Bicknell
7/12/2021 07:12:07 pm

re photos of George Prime Jones and my grandmother..... sorry for the delay in getting back to you....got busy with other things.... would you still like these photos? If so send me your email address...

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Richard Mosley
19/8/2016 09:57:57 am

I've also been researching George Jones as part of a history of Skinners School where he was a pupil up until 1913. I have a wonderful team photo of Skinners FC featuring George. Let me know if you'd like a copy. Best wishes, Richard

Reply
Judith Johnson link
26/8/2016 07:36:38 am

Hi Richard, thanks for your comment. Yes, please, I would love a copy of the photo to add to my SWM Extra page. I will contact you via email. All best, Judith

Reply
Fred Kirkpatrick
19/9/2017 01:41:29 pm

Hello,
I am starting my research on Capt. G.A.P. Jones. It was good to find most of my answers on this page. I have acquired his WW1 Silver British War Medal, which would have originally been sent to his next of kin.
I would really like a few photos of him. This will enhance the display I will put together. If you or any one else could help, I will do his memories/name proud.

Reply



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    Lifelong bookworm, love writing too. Have been a theatrical agent and reflexologist among other things, attitude to life summed up by Walt Whitman's MIRACLES.

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