PRIVATE DAVID JOHN JONES
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE REGIMENT
29TH SEPTEMBER 1918 AGE 29
BURIED: CABARET-ROUGE BRITISH CEMETERY, SOUCHEZ, FRANCE
Private Johns was killed in action on the 29 September 1918 in the attack on the St Quentin Canal. His body was not discovered until December 1926 when it was found with five other bodies at map reference 62c.F.12.a.65.75. There was no cross on the grave so it hadn't been previously registered. The body was identified by "Clothing, boots, numerals and two paper discs". The form asks "Were any effects forwarded to base?" and the answer was "Yes. Gold cased watch guaranteed 20 years. Discs fell to powder after being exposed. See covering letter."
There is an interesting note at the bottom of the form: "Reward is not to be paid in this case as the as the remains were reported by the American Graves Services, Q.M.C. in Europe". This refers to the fact that French and Belgian farmers were paid for each body they discovered to discourage them from failing to report it and just ploughing it back in to the ground.
David Jones was the only son of Thomas and Elizabeth Jones who ran the Junction Hotel in Abercynon, Glamorganshire. In 1911 David Jones was assisting his parents in the business. By the time his body was discovered his father was dead.