William John Jones

Rank: 
Private
Regimental number: 
270095
Unit at enlistment: 
215th Battalion
Force: 
C.E.F.
Volunteered or conscripted: 
Volunteered
Survived the war: 
No
Date of death: 
September 30th, 1918
Cemetery: 
Cantimpre Canadian Cemetery - Nord, France - C.3
Commemorated at: 
St. Jude's Anglican Church, Sons of England Memorial Plaque
Birth country: 
Canada
Birth county: 
Brant
Birth city: 
Brantford, Ontario
Address at enlistment: 
353 Dalhousie Street, Brantford, Ontario
Next of kin address: 
353 Dalhousie Street, Brantford, Ontario
Trade or calling: 
Apprentice
Religious denominations: 
Anglican
Marital status: 
Single
Age at enlistment: 
16

Letters and documents

Circumstances of Casualty: Killed in Action.
Location of Unit at Time of Casualty: Blecourt.

BX October 17, 1918

Private William John Jones, who enlisted with the 215th Battalion, is reported missing, word having been received by Ms. Law, 353 Dalhousie Street.

BX October 18, 1918

Official advice was received from Ottawa today that Pte. William John Jones, previously reported as missing, had been killed in action on September 30. Private Jones was the adopted son of Mr. and Mrs. William Lane, 175 Drummond Street, having been an orphan boy for whom Mrs. Lane undertook guardianship. He was only 17 years old when he enlisted in the 215th Battalion, and was a bright young fellow greatly liked and admired. 

BX December 6, 1918

Fell in Fighting Near Cambrai – Details of Death of Pte. W.J. Jones Received by His Foster Mother

Mrs. W.H. Lane has received the following letter in connection with the death of Pte. William John Jones, who lived with Mr. and Mrs. Lane prior to his enlistment in this city:

France, Nov. 12, 1918
Mrs. W.H. Lane,
175 Drummond Street,
Brantford

Dear Mrs. Lane,

You will have been officially notified some time ago of the death of your foster son, Pte. W.J. Jones, No. 270095 of the 87th Battalion. I should have written you some time ago but I have been away for several weeks. Your foster son was killed on September 30 in the heavy fighting near Cambrai. He was buried in Marcoing Line Cemetery, plot 1 row C, grave 3. 
    
It will be a source of consolation to you in your sorrow to know that when your foster son made the supreme sacrifice he was heroically doing his part in one of the big battles that finally broke the enemy’s power and has freed France and Belgium and brought peace to the whole world. Honored indeed is he who has assisted in the great and glorious course to drive the cruel invaders from these lands they have so heartlessly ravaged and to make freedom secure for all mankind. The God Master will give him his due reward for work well done. May the heavenly Father wonderfully comfort you and all other sorrowing friends.

I am sympathetically yours,

M.H. Jackson,
Captain Chaplain,
87th Can, Inf. Bn. 

Private Jones went overseas with Lt. Col. Cockshutt’s 215th Brants.