37-year-old Private Edward Jones, 8th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment, was killed in action on 4th November 1918. Born in 1881 in Aston, he was the third of the six children (three sons, three daughters) of parents Herbert (a clerk) and Ellen (née Gunner) who had married in Birmingham in 1875. One of the children – Herbert Richard Jones (1878-1880) – died before reaching two years of age.
In 1901, aged 19, Edward was working as a carriage lamp maker. His father died in 1902 and his mother in 1909.
In 1909, Edward married Rosalind Gertrude Burton at St Edburgha’s Church, Yardley, at which time he was listed as an insurance agent. By 1911, aged 29, he had changed career and was working as a rent collector for an estate agent.
He and his wife were living in South Yardley in 1911, but it seems that they had a connection with Olton United Reformed Church as his name is included on the war memorial at the church. His widow was living at “Colwyn”, Lincoln Road, Olton by the early 1920s.
He was killed in action and is buried at Preux-au-Bois Communal Cemetery, France. Although included on the Olton URC memorial, his name is not listed on the war memorial at St Margaret’s Church, Olton, suggesting that he didn’t live in the parish.
If you have any further information, please let us know.
Tracey
Heritage & Local Studies Librarian
tel.: 0121 704 6977
email: heritage@solihull.gov.uk
Solihull Life 
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