Slaney Norman Jones, Age 20

Corporal, 12642, 6th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment.

Royal Berkshire Regiment Cap Badge.

Slaney or Stanley dependant on which records you look at was born on the 28th July 1895, whilst his parents were living at Prospect House, Lawley Bank.

Slaney had received a good education at Wellington Grammar school and had gone on to work at the Lloyds Bank in Shrewsbury (October 1911). It was while still working at this Bank that he enlisted in September 1914 alongside his friend and workmate Percy Smith.

Slaney's Father, Thomas had passed away and his mother had moved to Albert Road in Wellington by the time that Slaney was killed in action during on the first day of the battle of the Somme (July 1st 1916). This date has gone down in the annals of British military history as the blackest ever day for the British Army, The attack was almost a complete disaster with the Army suffering nearly 20,000 killed and 40,000 wounded for very little gain.

Slaney's body was never found and his name alongside 72,000 others appears on the Thiepval Memorial Pier and Face 11D

His friend Percy was killed alongside him on the same day; L/Cpl, 12488 Percy Smith 6th Battalion Royal Berkshire regiment killed in action 1st July 1916. Percy was the son of Arthur Henry Smith of Lloyds Bank, Wellington and the late Annie Waterhouse Smith. Percy's name is also on the Thiepval memorial Pier and Face 11D

 
Slaney’s 14-15 Star Medal

WWI Medal Rolls Index Card

Although Slaney’s Medal card did not show the 14-15 Medal, he was awarded it, see army order 20 of 1919.

Commonwealth War Graves
Commemorated Thiepval Memorial

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Victory Medal	British War Medal	1914-15 Star Medal