The CWGC entry for F/Sgt Albert Patrick Jones records that he was the
twenty-one year-old son of David and Margaret Jones and husband of
Irene May Jones of Aberdeen. Jones was mid-upper gunner in 166
Squadron Lancaster ME624 of F/Sgt Roy Fennell, lost on the Nuremberg
raid 30th/31st March 1944. A very sad record,
but as ever, a little research tells more.
Genealogy records
suggest that Albert Jones and Irene May Robson married on 1st
January 1944 in Aberdeen. The likelihood must surely be that Jones
had been stationed at an RAF establishment in the proximity of
Aberdeen with Irene living near at hand or perhaps, Irene had been in
the forces – a WAAF maybe and it was she who was stationed in the
Aberdeen area? Perhaps Jones had been instructing at RAF
Lossiemouth (20 OTU) or RAF Kinloss (19 OTU) - hence his arrival
without crew-mates at 166 Squadron for a new operational posting.
Had the prospect of flying operations prompted their marriage? By
5th January F/Sgt Jones A P found himself in the mid-upper
turret of
Lancaster W4376 on his
way to Stettin.
Albert Patrick Jones
(birth records have him as – Patrick Albert) was born in June 1922
in Cardiff to Dai and Margaret Jones (née
Griffin) – apparently the youngest of their four children.
Soon after her son was posted missing Margaret Jones wrote to pilot
Roy Fennell's mother from her home at 77 Strathnairn Street, Roath,
Cardiff.:-
Dear Mrs Fennell,
I am Mrs Jones, I
had the sad news
that my son F/Sgt
Jones was killed
on 31st
March. He was on
the same Lancaster
as your
son. He was a mid
upper gunner.
Well my dear what
news
have you had I hope
it
is good. Will you
please let
me know if you have
heard
anything as I can't
believe
it. Please excuse
bad writing
as I am in a dream
and
a muddle. I don't
know
2
what I am doing. I
will
close now awaiting
some
good news from you.
I remain yours
truly,
Mrs
M Jones.
Many thanks to Wayne in
Vancouver for the letter which I think completely encapsulates the
feelings of a mother bereft at the loss of her son.
Can
anyone supply more information about Albert Patrick Jones please?
