Private Harold Edward Jones
| Date of Birth | 05 January 1896 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 21 |
| Date of Death | 08 May 1917 |
| Service Number | 7176 |
| Military Service | 8th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment |
| Merton Address | |
| Local Memorial | Mitcham War Memorial |
Additional Information
Harold was born in St Giles in the Fields on 5 May 1896, while his family were living at 20 New Street, Covent Garden. He was baptised at St. Clement Danes, Bloomsbury. His father William Meadwell was a Brass Finisher, and he and his wife Ellen (also known as Helen) had seven children. According to the 1901 Census Harold’s sister Catherine was aged 14, Philip aged 12, William 11, James 10, and Dorothy Olivia aged 2. Another sister Audrey was born later that year. Harold was aged 5 at the time.
By 1911 the family had moved to Park Lane, Tottenham. Harold’s father Wiliam seems to have died in the meantime, as Ellen had remarried to Frederick Jones, a Painter and Decorator. Harold was now aged 15, and had started work as a Machine Boy for a Cabinet Maker.
Although Harold was still known by the surname Meadwell on the1911 Census, when he joined the army he had changed his name to Jones. Harold enlisted with the 8th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment at Kingston. The 8th (Service) Battalion was formed as part of Kitchener’s 2nd New Army and came under the 55th Brigade. They landed at Boulogne on 28 July 1915.
During May 1917, Harold’s battalion were stationed at Neuville Vitasse. On 8 May, the battalion had been relieved, and were in a camp at Beaurains away from the front, where they were engaged in bayonet work, and physical training. Although Harold’s death is recorded on that day, it is likely that he died from injuries received during an attack on enemy trenches at Cherisy on 3 May, when 13 officers and 381 Other Ranks, were casualties on that day.
It is not certain what connection Harold had with Merton, but his younger sister Dorothy (Olivia) married in Christ Church, Mitcham in 1915. She also had changed her surname to Jones. It is possible that the whole family had moved to Mitcham after 1911, although there are no other records to support this.
Harold’s brother William Meadwell, was killed in 1915, and his story is also told on the Carved in Stone website.
Harold is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France and locally on the Mitcham War Memorial.