Captain George James Jones was born on the 25th of May 1887 at Stottesdon where he was baptised by the Curate Morris Maywood on the 23rd of October the son of grocer Albert James Jones and Fanny Louisa Hughes (1861 to 1954).

The 1891 census finds him with his family at The Grocers Shop, Green Lane, Stottesdon. Albert aged 32 was a grocer born in the parish. Fanny aged 32 was born at Bilston, Staffordshire. Children recorded all born in the parish are George aged 3, Frederick aged 2 and Ella aged 5 months. Servants are George Hodnett aged 24 a groom born at Wheathill, Shropshire, James Edwards aged 16 was a grocers assistant born Shropshire, and Ellen Robinson aged 16 born Cannock, Staffordshire.

The family were still at the grocers shop in 1901 and just to record the changes. Children recorded are George, Frederick, Ella aged 10, Dorothy aged 7, Ruth aged 4, and Evelyn aged 2. Also present is widow Caroline Hughes, mother of Fanny aged 79 living on her own means, born Staffordshire and servants Mary Norgrove aged 20 born Haywood Longton, Shropshire, John Bache aged 21 a grocers assistant born Radnorshire and Charles Robinson aged 29 born in the parish.

From rural Shropshire to smoky London for the 1911 census which finds him at 44, Harlestone Road, Norwood the home of his uncle Charles Haddon Jones aged 34, export agent born at Stoddeston, wife Eva Millicent aged 28 born Tenbury, Worcestershire and daughter Margaret. George is a clerk in the Medical Officers Branch, London County Council Education Department.

In October 1915 at he married Alice Mahoney MD (1896 to 1962). Following the union he took the name Mahoney-Jones.

As to his military service. His Medal Index Card records him as a Lieutenant in the 11th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers and as a Captain in the Royal Flying Corps. George transferred to the Royal Flying Corps and learned to fly on the Maurice Farman biplane at Norwich Military School and received his flying certificate - No.1737 on the 11th of September 1915.

He went to France to join 20 Squadron to fly the Fe2d. On the 7th of April 1917 he set out at 17.33 with his Observer 2/Lt William B Moyes in Fe2d serial number A1961 to bomb enemy positions south of Ploegsteert Wood where his aircraft engaged by a German fighter flown by Ofz stv Max Muller of Ja28 and shot down in flames between Armentieres and Roubaix killing both men at 18.20. This was Muller’s sixth of at least seventeen victories.

Both men are interred in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension (Captain Jones is recorded as Mahoney-Jones on the cemetery records).

He is remembered at Stottesdon (St Mary), Shropshire, on the grave of his parents. Albert James Jones 14th of July 1858 to the 24th of December 1917 and Fanny Louisa Hughes Jones 10th of October 1861 to the 11th of September 1957.

His probate records him as 138 Thorpe Road, Norwich. His estate of £230*7-5d was administered to his widow.

Following George’s death, Alice moved to Tunbridge Wells about 1930 when she was resident at 1, Culverden Gardens. She married Lieutenant William Ruddock Kidd MC, Royal Dublin Fusiliers at Bidborough on the 14th of October 1945. She died at Tunbridge Wells in 1962.