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Jones, William Norman, Toronto, Ontario. Occupation: manufacturer. Military Service: Private, Reg. No. McGill 132, 2nd University Company, PPCLI, Attestation Papers. Diary Reference: “Poor Jones,” 3:22 Jul ’16. According to Hodder-Williams, 221, Pt. W. N. Jones was missing and presumed killed at Sanctuary Wood on 2 June 1916. If Frank was making a cross for a Pte. Jones from the PPCLI, this is the only Pte. Jones who died at that time. Hodder-Williams, 81, indicates that Major S. L. Jones was wounded and taken prisoner at Sanctuary Wood on 2 June 1916, but he died in the hands of the Germans and presumably was buried by them.
Additional Biographical Information:
Pte. William Norman Jones was a 21-year-old man from Toronto, who described himself as a “manufacturer,” when he enlisted in May 1915 with the 2nd University Company. He arrived in England and was posted to the 11th Bn. on 18 July 1915 for training. On 24 August 1915, he crossed to France and joined the PPCLI in the Armentieres Sector on 1 September 1915 at the same time as Frank Whiting. Frank’s reference to “poor Jones” suggests that he knew the man and felt the loss; therefore, he may have been referring to Pte. W. N. Jones.
According to Newman, With the Patricia’s in Flanders, 226, Pte. Jones was reported missing in action during the Battle of Sanctuary Wood. However, if Frank was painting a cross for “poor Jones” on July 22, it is possible that his body had been recovered by that time. Pte. W. N. Jones has no known grave today, so if he did have a grave initially, it must have been destroyed in subsequent bombing.
Date of Death: 2 June 1916. See casualty details, Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Memorialised at the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ieper (Ypres), West Flanders, Belgium. Grave Reference: Panel 10.
