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Richard Basil Brandram Jones
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Richard Basil Brandram Jones Famous memorial Veteran

Birth
Lewisham, London Borough of Lewisham, Greater London, England
Death
21 May 1916 (aged 19)
Vimy, Departement du Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France
Monument
Arras, Departement du Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France Add to Map
Plot
Arras Memorial, Bay 7 (No Known Grave)
Memorial ID
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World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. He received the award posthumously from British King George V (presented to his father) on December 20, 1916 at Buckingham Palace, London, England for his actions as a lieutenant in the 8th Battalion, The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment of the British Army, on May 21, 1916 at the Broadmarsh Crater near Vimy, France during World War I. Born in Honor Oak, Lewisham, in London, England he attended Dulwich College in Dulwich, London from 1909 until 1914 where he was an expert marksman and gymnast. In September 1914 he joined the British Army following the outbreak of World War I the previous July and was sent to the Western Front in France a year later. He saw combat in the Ploegsteert Wood sector where he was wounded in December 1915. In April 1916 his unit was engaged in combat in front of Mont St. Eloi, France and the following month he was killed in action at the age of 19, defending his position in the Broadmarsh Crater. His body was never recovered and his name is commemorated on the Arras Memorial. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "For most conspicuous bravery. He was holding with his platoon a crater recently captured from the enemy. About 7.30 P.M. the enemy exploded a mine forty yards to his right, and at the same time put a heavy barrage of fire on our trenches, thus isolating the Platoon. They then attacked in overwhelming numbers. Lt. Jones kept his men together, steadying them by his fine example, and shot no less than fifteen of the enemy as they advanced, counting them aloud as he did so to cheer his men. When his ammunition was expended he took a bomb, but was shot through the head while getting up to throw it. His splendid courage had so encouraged his men that when they had no more ammunition or bombs they threw stones and ammunition boxes at the enemy till only nine of the platoon were left. Finally they were compelled to retire." In addition to the Victoria Cross, he also received the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal, and the Victory Medal. His Victoria Cross and other medals are retained at his former school, Dulwich College.
World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. He received the award posthumously from British King George V (presented to his father) on December 20, 1916 at Buckingham Palace, London, England for his actions as a lieutenant in the 8th Battalion, The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment of the British Army, on May 21, 1916 at the Broadmarsh Crater near Vimy, France during World War I. Born in Honor Oak, Lewisham, in London, England he attended Dulwich College in Dulwich, London from 1909 until 1914 where he was an expert marksman and gymnast. In September 1914 he joined the British Army following the outbreak of World War I the previous July and was sent to the Western Front in France a year later. He saw combat in the Ploegsteert Wood sector where he was wounded in December 1915. In April 1916 his unit was engaged in combat in front of Mont St. Eloi, France and the following month he was killed in action at the age of 19, defending his position in the Broadmarsh Crater. His body was never recovered and his name is commemorated on the Arras Memorial. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "For most conspicuous bravery. He was holding with his platoon a crater recently captured from the enemy. About 7.30 P.M. the enemy exploded a mine forty yards to his right, and at the same time put a heavy barrage of fire on our trenches, thus isolating the Platoon. They then attacked in overwhelming numbers. Lt. Jones kept his men together, steadying them by his fine example, and shot no less than fifteen of the enemy as they advanced, counting them aloud as he did so to cheer his men. When his ammunition was expended he took a bomb, but was shot through the head while getting up to throw it. His splendid courage had so encouraged his men that when they had no more ammunition or bombs they threw stones and ammunition boxes at the enemy till only nine of the platoon were left. Finally they were compelled to retire." In addition to the Victoria Cross, he also received the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal, and the Victory Medal. His Victoria Cross and other medals are retained at his former school, Dulwich College.

Bio by: William Bjornstad


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  • Maintained by: Find a Grave
  • Added: Sep 24, 2004
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/9513167/richard_basil_brandram-jones: accessed ), memorial page for Richard Basil Brandram Jones (30 Apr 1897–21 May 1916), Find a Grave Memorial ID 9513167, citing Arras Memorial, Arras, Departement du Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France; Maintained by Find a Grave.