Queen's South Africa Medal 1899-1902. Silver issue with 5 x clasps 'Cape Colony', 'Tugela Heights', 'Orange Free State', 'Relief of Ladysmith' & 'Transvaal' (19955 Gnr: C. Jones, 66th Bty: R.F.A.)

Wounded-in-Action - Loss of the Guns - Colenso, Multiple Victoria Cross Incident: Gunner Charles Jones, 66th Battery Royal Filed Artillery, is confirmed 'Wounded-in-Action' at the Battle of Colenso, on, 15 December 1899. A 'Black Week' casualty, reference 'Natal Field Force Casualty Roll' (published by J.B. Hayward). The recipients extant service papers (held & accessible at The National Archives) refers to wounds as:

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Bullet wound in ankle at Colenso, 15:12:99

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Killed - Railway Accident: Gunner Charles Jones, 66th Battery Royal Field Artillery, who was fortunate to survive the Battle of Colenso, is confirmed having subsequently been 'Killed' at Johannesburg, South Africa, on, 21 August 1901, in a horrifying 'Railway' accident, reference the South African Field Force Casualty Roll (published by J.B. Hayward). The recipients extant service papers (held & accessible at The National Archives) refers to the fatal accident as:

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Died at Johannesburg, fracture of spine and pelvis, result of accident on railway, 21 Aug 01

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Regimental Memorial: The service and supreme sacrifice of Gunner Charles Jones, is commemorated in perpetuity on a panel including all the fallen of 66th Field Battery, on the Royal Regiment of Artillery South African War Memorial located at The Mall, London, United Kingdom

66th Battery Royal Field Artillery at Colenso: The 66th Battery was one of two batteries which got into extreme difficulties at Colenso - resulting in the loss of four guns. Such was the maelstrom of well aimed Boer Mauser Rifle fire, at 'Roll Call' on, 5 December 1899, the unit returned the following casualties:

- 1 x Officer killed
- 2 x Officers wounded
- 2 x Officers missing
- 3 x Other ranks killed
- 11 x Other ranks wounded
- 22 x Other ranks missing

General Buller in his despatch of 16th December 1910, recommended Corporal George Nurse - a fearless 'Fighting Irish' from Enniskillen, County Fermanagh - for the award of the Victoria Cross and 6 x Drivers for the award of the

Charles Jones, son of Joshua Jones (Agricultural Labourer), and Eliza Harriet Jones (nee Talbot) was a native of, Bolas Magna, Shropshire, England, where he was born circa 1879. Charles is recorded in the 1881 and subsequent 1891 National Census returns for England & Wales, on both occasions being shown as living with his parents and siblings at the family residence located at, the parish of Bolas Magna, Shropshire, England. Charles was one of 7 x children born to Joshua 7 Eliza Jones, his other 6 x siblings comprised 3 x sisters and 3 x brothers. Charles Jones, by trade a 'Labourer' enlisted for the British Army, at , Birmingham, Warwickshire, England, on, 6 May 1897 at London, England, on which date he was posted to the Royal Regiment of Artillery, for training at the Royal Artillery Depot, located at Woolwich, London. Charles embarked for active service in the South African War on, 23 October 1899 - he was destined never again to return to his homeland. After recovering from being wounded-in-action at the Battle of Colenso during the infamous -'Black Week' - of British reverses in December 1899, Charles sadly lost his life at Johannesburg, due to a fatal railway accident on, 21 August 1901. The effects of Charles Jones were sent to his father, who was the notified next-of-kin

A most desirable South African War campaign medal to a confirmed 'Colenso' casualty, who was in the thick of the action that resulted in the 'Loss of the Guns', and who was almost certainly a witness to the multiple acts of gallantry, that resulted in no less then 4 x Victoria Crosses being awarded for the attempt to recover the lost guns, including the award to his comrade

Condition: GVF

Code: 23805