Jones, Cyril Beverly Ford

Cyril Jones was born on February 10, 1881 in Arnprior, Ontario to parents Kearney and Emily Jones. He was raised and educated in Kingston, Ontario with siblings Leonard and Mildred. As a young man, Cyril found employment with the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, working at several branches in Western Canada. By 1916, he was managing the Mount Royal Branch of the CIBC in Calgary, Alberta. Cyril was an avid sportsman, and held membership in the Calgary Lawn Tennis Club, and the Calgary Golf and Country Club. A talented writer, he sent interesting accounts of his time at the front to his employees at the bank. On January 26, 1916, Cyril Jones attested with the 113th Battalion CEF Lethbridge Highlanders. His management experience at the bank, as well as time spent with the 103rd Calgary Rifles, helped to earn him an officer’s position with the Kilties. Lieutenant Jones arrived in England on October 6, 1916, and remained in England until embarking for France on October 28, 1916. Upon arrival in France, he was taken on strength by the 16th Battalion CEF Canadian Scottish. He served with this unit for the duration of the war, rising to the rank of Captain. In April 1917, he received a gunshot wound to the face, and following his recovery, continued to serve with the 16th Canadian Scottish. In August 1918, Captain Jones was injured a second time, having received a gunshot wound to the back. He refused to leave his men, and continued to fight while injured, and was later awarded the Military Cross for his ability and devotion to duty. The resilient captain again returned to the front in October to serve with his men for the final month of the war. On April 26, 1919, Captain Jones embarked for Canada, and on May 10, 1919, he was officially discharged from service with the CEF. He indicated that he planned to return to Kingston, where his family had been living. Not much is known about his postwar life, but he did appear to do some traveling, having made at least one trip to the Barbados. On October 19, 1939, Cyril Jones passed away, and was laid to rest in an unmarked grave in his mother’s family plot at Cataraqui Cemetery in Kingston. In addition to the Military Cross, Cyril Jones was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal for his wartime service