George Jones was born on December 12, 1898, the son of William Andrew Jones and Georgie Ella (nee Ford) Jones, of 167 Cameron Street, Sarnia (the Jones family were of the “black race”, as noted in his attestation papers). George’s siblings included: sisters Ellen (born 1891) and Carrie (born 1893); and brother Austin (born 1895, who would also serve with the Canadian Forces in France during the war, as a Private). George enlisted May 14, 1917, in Sarnia with the 63rd Depot Battery. Single at the time, he recorded his occupation as a painter. He became a member of the Army, Canadian Artillery, 4th Light Trench Mortar Battery, with the rank of Gunner. On October 8, 1918, George Jones would lose his life as a result of wounds received while fighting in France during Canada’s final Hundred Days Campaign. In mid-October 1918, George’s parents in Sarnia would receive a telegram from England and Ottawa informing them that; 334403, Pvt. George Andrew Jones, artillery, previously reported dangerously wounded, now reported dangerously ill at the 20th General Hospital, Dannes, Camieres. Approximately one month after George Jones death, the Armistice was signed ending the Great War. George would later be officially listed as, Died of Wounds (shrapnel wound, right buttock). At No. 29 General Hospital, Camiers. The following is the October 17, 1918 Sarnia Observer report of his death:
Local Man Dies of Wounds
The citizens of the city will regret to learn of the death of another of Sarnia’s war heroes in the person of Private George Andrew Jones, of the artillery, a message arriving to that effect. The young man was a son of Mr. and Mrs. W.A. Jones, 167 Cameron Street, and was known as a quiet, unassuming young fellow and well liked by all who knew him. He went overseas a couple of years ago with an artillery draft of the 63rd battery. He was in his 20th year, and is survived by his parents, two sisters, and a brother Private Austin Jones, now with the Canadian forces in France.
Nineteen-year old George Jones is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, Grave LXVI.H.17. On the Sarnia cenotaph, his name is inscribed as A. Jones.
SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, L, N, 2C, 2D, 2G