Lance-Sgt George Jones, 5/22365, 5th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers, formerly of 34 Chase Street, Luton, was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallantry in the field at Auchy-les-La Bassee in France on the night of September 28th-29th, 1918. The news was sent to his married sister Mrs Olive Coles at 60 Baker Street.

His citation said that, having established a new post, he was attacked from three sides. By skilful handling of his platoon and the one remaining light machine gun he beat off the enemy, inflicting severe losses, and finally materially assisted the re-establishment of the post on his flank, which had been driven back. “His gallantry was marked with conspicuous gallantry and a determination which was a fine example to all.”

George Jones was one of the Regular Army who landed in France in the very early stages of the war. He was serving in South Africa with the 2nd Beds Regiment when hostilities began and reaching the fighting line in Belgium in October 1914. After a fortnight he was wounded during the first battle of Ypres and spent the following 11 months in hospital.

On rejoining his unit he was drafted overseas again from Felixstowe, his destination on this occasion being Salonica, where he gained his first stripe. During two years service in the East, he was part of the operations which led to the fall of Jerusalem.

In June 1918 he returned to the Western Front, where he participated in the heavy fighting towards the end of the war.

The 24-year-old had been employed as a lad at Farley Farm.