DAlcop Dad’s Army copyright & David Croft. File compilations copyright Gordon Brodie & Christopher Leather

Section 1 : Main Characters : Lance Corporal Jack Jones

CHARACTER: Lance Corporal Jones

PLAYED BY: Clive Dunn OBE 1920 - (All TV and Radio Episodes)

FULL NAME: Jack Jones (often referred to himself as Jack Jones the Butcher)

NICKNAME: Jonesy

ADDRESS: May have lived above shop at 19 High Street, Walmington, but possible at one time he lived across road or round corner from shop, perhaps during refurbishment. Later, probably moved to a cottage with roses round the door and a big fridge in the kitchen, as Mrs Jones (ex Mrs Fox) said she wanted on her Wedding Day.

TELEPHONE NUMBER: Walmington-on-Sea 252 (Butchers)

DATE & PLACE OF BIRTH: During 1870 possibly in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION: About 5’8” in height, thinnish wiry build, very agile for his age. Fine head of silvery grey hair, small moustache, permanently wore glasses. Claimed to have highly coloured eyes.

HOME GUARD RANK: Lance Corporal, Commander of No 1 Section. On one occasion briefly promoted to Sergeant to replace Sergeant Wilson who was moving to Eastgate. Resigned his ‘Non-Commission’ during ’s tenure of office as Platoon OC, refusing to serve under a common man. Burst into tears shortly after when he saw wearing his Lance Corporal’s Stripes. Was official driver of platoon van.

CIVILIAN / DAYTIME JOB: Ran his own Butcher’s shop assisted by young Raymond and various cash ladies, including Doris, Miss Mortimer and Mrs Johnstone. In earlier part of War a boy called Ronald worked at the shop. In much younger days, when 10 years old, Jack worked as a Milk Boy, getting up at 5am and looking after a grumpy Horse, for 2d a week.

WORK ADDRESS: Jack Jones, High Class Butchers, 19 High Street, Walmington-on-Sea (Business Information: Weekly wages bill was originally £2 12s 6d rising to £3 2s 6d later. Used United Meat Suppliers for stock supplies) (See Separate File - Jones’ Butchers)

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WORK TELEPHONE NUMBER: Walmington-on-Sea 252. (See Postscript)

EDUCATED AT: No details but assumed to be local schools in Leamington Spa. Left school to join army at age of 14 in 1884

QUALIFICATIONS: None currently established.

KNOWN FAMILY / RELATIVES: At outbreak of WW2 had never been married. Healthy old age seemed to be a Jones family trait. Mother who resembled Queen Victoria, lived in Anmerring. Jack Jones’ father, George, was born in 1852 (being 88 in 1940 working as Caretaker at the Peabody Museum in Walmington) and married for the third time in 1939, although no reference is ever made to Jack’s step mothers. George had also been a butcher and one assumes Jack took over the family business. He was a God-fearing man and still around later in the War attending the ‘Freedom Ceremony’ for a visiting hero of the Soviet Union standing on a pillar box to get a better look, by which time he was probably about 90. (When asked by if still with us Jack’s reply was “Not as much as he was”). Jack once claimed his father came to tea on a Saturday but this may have been an excuse not to attend range firing that day as Major Regan would be there. Had brother who probably lived in Eastbourne and used to be a customer at the late Edmund Mainwaring’s Drapers. Reference was also made once to a brother who was wounded on the North West Frontier, but not known if this was the same brother. A girl called Elsie was once mentioned, who according to his father, had fat bulging legs, which he also described as being like an elephant’s, but not known if this was a sister, cousin or what. Jack did refer to her as ‘My Elsie.’ Known to have a Cousin Ethel whose Daughter was married to Tony Fairbrother, (Sergeant Wilson’s school friend). Possible that both parents and brother died during later stages of War as they were not seen at Jack’s Wedding.

KNOWN ASSOCIATES: Home Guard Colleagues. Fellow Darby and Joan Club Members. Fellow Chamber of Commerce members. Loved going to meet his old comrades at Re-Unions, especially at the annual Battle of Omdurman Re- Union. Charlie Higgins ate a tin of chocolate Jack received from Queen Victoria in South Africa in 1900, and he was looking after for Jack whilst he was in hospital in 1925, Jack reminding him about it afterwards in the wording of a song at annual Re-Unions. Claimed he knew an Officer called ‘Mad Harry’ from the Sudan. Claimed he had known Mr Drury the Undertaker since he was a lad in short trousers pinching his father’s apples. When Private Pike was due for call-up he defined comradeship to him as: ‘Always be first in the queue, never volunteer, drop others in it, look after No 1, and if any one pinches your kit, make sure you pinch someone else’s.’

KNOWN ROMANTIC ENCOUNTERS: In younger days went out with an acid faced and flat-kneed girl from Leamington Spa. It was for her that he learnt to play his only tune of Onward Christian Soldiers on the Church Organ. Meantime she had moved to Bournemouth. In the early days of WW2 he was going out with a Mrs Prosser, (with whom Warden Hodges once caught him in an Air Raid Shelter), possibly two - timing her with the widow Mrs Fox. This is borne out by the occasion when they were seen by Captain Mainwaring in Anne’s Pantry and Jack said that there was nothing in it but not to tell Mrs Fox! Later, he seemed to focus his attentions towards Mrs Fox, who he claimed to have known for 17 years. Known to spend Saturday nights at Mrs 2 DAlcop Dad’s Army copyright Jimmy Perry & David Croft. File compilations copyright Gordon Brodie & Christopher Leather

Fox’s listening to ‘In Town Tonight’, and eating some pork chops he had taken round. Mrs Fox once said he was a marvellous man for his age. Once took Mrs Fox to a Butcher’s Federation Dance celebrating the opening of the new slaughterhouse (by all accounts it was a grand occasion, with the men all in tails and dancing to Victor Sylvester’s music). After seeing off Mr Gordon the Town Clerk and American GIs, and getting beaten up once by Mrs Fox, Jack popped the question. After an anxious wait, she said ‘Yes’ and they eventually married, despite the age gap and Mrs Fox’s one time comment that Jack was old enough to be her Father, Mrs Fox being given away by Captain Mainwaring in a ceremony attended by all the Home Guard Platoon and their wives. Was going to spend Wedding Night at Esplanade Hotel in Eastgate but an invasion alert meant he had to spend it on watch with Private Pike. Once stated that he was so besotted with Mrs Fox, he even saw her face on the Gasworks! Was still ‘looking after’ Mrs Prosser later in the War before he got married, meeting her outside the Free Polish Club to give her eggs etc. Didn’t think anything would come of it as Mrs Prosser was then 83 years old! In early days of War followed Miss Beckwith, an Assistant Guide Leader one night and shone torch on her legs saying “Cor! What a pair of gameroos.” A complaint was later made to Captain Mainwaring by the Guide Leader! Mrs Fox also helped him to count the coupons on last Wednesdays of the month. Information has also come to light that when in the Sudan he fell in love with a local girl - until he saw her without clothes on!!

PREVIOUS MILITARY CAREER: This NCO joined the Warwickshire Regiment as a Drummer Boy in 1884 at the age of 14. He served in numerous Campaigns including being with General Gordon at Khartoum, fought the Fuzzie Wuzzies in the Sudan, was in the Boer War, and was discharged from France in 1915 due to his poor eyesight. However, during WW2 he referred at least three times to longer service in WW1 including the chocolate the got from Queen Victoria being with him ‘through the 14-18 lot’ and also referred to being in the trenches in 1916. Also referred once to being at Ypres. In 1891 he was on a home posting as he formed part of the Guard of Honour for Queen Victoria’s visit to the town. We also know that in 1898 he was in the Sudan at Omdurman, and in 1900 (including Christmas) he was in South Africa in the Boer war. Served many years with Lord Kitchener and spent the rest of his life telling people about it. Also spent some time on North West Frontier fighting the Pattans. His service may have been distinguished, but his career was not - he was only a Lance Corporal on discharge, having been promoted to that rank in 1901. Also spent time serving with General French, and General Macully whom he claimed once said “Take it in turns” but said he was not important! Private Cheeseman, a local War Correspondent attached to the Platoon was going to do an article on Jack for the Eastbourne Gazette called ‘Battle Scarred Veteran’.

DECORATIONS: Captain Square of the Eastgate Platoon once described Lance Corporal Jones as having the illuminated history of the British Empire on his chest. His medals consisted of: Egypt 1882 - 1889, India General Service Medal 1895, Sudan 1896 - 1898, Queen Victoria’s South Africa Medal 1901 - 1902#, King Edward’s South Africa Medal 1901 - 1902, India General Service Medal 1908, 1914 Star, British War Medal 1914 - 1920, Allied Victory Medal (WW1), Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, Khedive’s Bronze Star 1882 - 1891, Khedive’s Sudan Medal 1896 - 1905. N.B. # This Medal has also been referred to as The Queen’s South Africa Medal 1899 - 1902. This would tend to fit in with his service record (although various dates for the campaigns are given above it does not necessarily follow that he was there for the full duration of these campaigns).

PREVIOUS BACKGROUND: Very little else known, mainly due to him joining the Army at such a young age and his Military Career being so well documented. On discharge, and unusually for an ex-infantryman, took over what was presumably his Father’s Butcher’s Shop in Walmington. With his poor eyesight he may have misread 3 DAlcop Dad’s Army copyright Jimmy Perry & David Croft. File compilations copyright Gordon Brodie & Christopher Leather

Walmington for Leamington Spa, but it seems the rest of his family (parents and brother) had moved to the area previously. When at a party in Captain Mainwaring’s house he said he had known Eastbourne for 50 years. Calculations using Jack’s age, date of birth, and date of episode would (speculatively) put date of moving South to about 1892 when Jack would have been 22 and serving in the British Army.

FAVOURITE PHRASES: ‘Permission to speak, Sir.’ ‘Don’t Panic, Don’t Panic’, (normally said when getting into a big panic himself). ‘Very Tasty - Very Sweet.’ ‘When I was in the Sudan.’ ‘They don’t like it up ‘em, they do not like it up ‘em’ (referring to the cold steel of his bayonet). ‘The old cold steel.’ (See also Expressions of Lance Corporal Jones File.)

AILMENTS: Recurring bouts of Malaria, which he claimed to have been getting for over 40 years. Took a malarial attack during a platoon competition and as Godfrey had no quinine in his First Aid Bag, gave him some tonic wine that his sister Dolly swore by, Lance Corporal Jones getting drunk on the stuff. Poor eyesight (he signed the table instead of the form when enlisting into the LDV). Had slight nervous breakdown just after formation of LDV - the Platoon’s first casualty - but soon regained his ‘bottle’. Had false teeth, once breaking upper set on a toffee. Frequently cutting his fingers as result of his job. Despite lack of fitness, (once took two hours and 15 minutes to complete a 15 minute assault course), seemed to be agile for his age. Claimed nostrils flare up when in action. Believed in bicarbonate of soda and had carried a bottle of it around with him for over 45 years. Once cut his trigger finger, which was heavily bandaged, but told Captain Mainwaring not a problem as he was ‘amphibious’, no doubt meaning ‘ambidextrous’. Injured his foot trying to kick open Church Hall office door during a house clearance drill. Received finger injuries tackling Seamus Reagan and friends in the Church Hall when his brother Patrick had been arrested as a suspected IRA Terrorist. On one occasion was becoming hysterical until Frazer slapped his face. Suffered injury to head when hit by Mrs Fox during a punch - up in the Red Lion with the newly arrived Americans. Fainted in the Bank when he found £500 had turned into half a pound of sausages. Had to attend Hospital in 1925 but not known what for.

PETS: None known

HOBBIES / SPORTS: Regaling whoever would listen about his tales of the Sudan. May have had an interest in Athletic Association as once represented them at a Rotarian Dinner. Was Secretary of Darby and Joan Club. Known to dress up as a Santa each Christmas Day to give out Suet and Sausages to the members. We also know that on Christmas Day 1940 Private Pike assisted him in this. Member of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (RAOB). Treasurer of Serviceman’s Canteen Fund. Member of the Butchers’ Federation and Poulterer’s Association. Member of the local Chamber of Commerce. Claimed to have kept wicket behind Ranjay Singh when in India. Also indulged in a little Bolshevik dancing, but fell on his backside when giving a demonstration to a Committee Meeting in the Church Hall. Amateur dramatics - helped out with the scenery in ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ pantomime in 1939. Listening to his radio, the Forces Programme being his favourite. Occasional card player. Read , getting Private Pike’s copy when he had finished with it. May have played darts but was not very good, as he was not selected to play for the Home Guard against the Wardens (poor eyesight?). As he joined the Army in 1884 as a Drummer Boy it would be safe to assume

4 DAlcop Dad’s Army copyright Jimmy Perry & David Croft. File compilations copyright Gordon Brodie & Christopher Leather he played the drums. However, he was never known to play them after discharge so can only presume he let this talent slide.

VEHICLES OWNED: Owned a Butchers Van finished in cream and blue with gold lettering registration number BUC 852 and was given to the Home Guard Platoon for use as their transport, on condition Lance Corporal Jones would be the official driver (see separate file: The Platoon Van, for more information). Also known to have had a bicycle in the early days of the War. Claimed Captain Mainwaring was too heavy handed with vehicles and should ‘cherish’ them more. May have had a motor cycle licence as seen in very early LDV days riding a motor cycle with corrugated sheets on, presumably as armour, which fell off as soon as the bike moved.

CHARACTERISTICS: Had the indomitable spirit that Britain needed in the dark days of WW2. Knew his place in life, always being respectable to those above him. Never lost his military mannerisms. Often used words he did not understand properly, mispronouncing them. An example was when he mentioned about ‘fertilising’ with the newly arrived Americans instead of ‘fraternising’.

ECCENTRICITIES: Got into a panic whilst telling others not to panic. Convinced the Verger, Mr Yeatman, was a troublemaker. Always first to volunteer for anything (Private Frazer did comment once that Jones only volunteered if Captain Mainwaring was around). Loved wearing his red dress uniform from his days in the Sudan, even in 1940s. Swore by the bayonet as a cure all for all situations. Always a second or so behind the others in his drill movements. Had a sausage blacklist for people who upset him. Habit of putting his hand on his hip when talking about or quoting Lord Kitchener (hinting of his aledged homosexuality). Sometimes could not remember whether at Home Guard or in his shop as sometimes answered Church telephone as “Jack Jones the Butcher.”

FURTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION: Once described by Captain Frazer as a “Woolly minded auld ditherer”, it would be fair to say that Lance Corporal Jones was probably one of the Platoon ‘characters’. The stresses of running a Butchers shop with all the food rationing in Wartime and doing his nightly Home Guard duties would have broken many a lesser and younger man. He was often given small gifts by the housewives in an attempt to boost their meat ration. I can only recall seeing him smoking on one occasion, (when he lost £500), but the gifts included his favourite tobacco and sometimes cake. He was heard once offering Private Frazer a cigarette, so probably did smoke. Nearly caused himself to become insolvent by not billing the Orphanage £50 overdue for meat, but Captain Mainwaring untangled the ‘web’ and despite assets of only £15, saved Jack’s business. He had many adventures with the Home Guard, too many to list here, and a separate file outlining his adventures and predicaments has been created. Considering his Service Record however, his worst experience must have been an ex-comrade from the Warwicks, namely an ungrateful George ‘Nobby’ Clark joining the Home Guard Platoon, and claiming Jack left him to die in the Sudan. Despite receiving 2½ feathers in the post at the time Clark appeared, Jack’s honour was restored after certain records at Somerset House were checked, and Clark made a rapid exit from the Home Guard. This incident was all the more poignant as Clark first appeared whilst Jack was away having a convivial evening with his old comrades at the 42nd Omdurman Re-Union.

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At one point Captain Mainwaring thought there would come a time when Jones would have to go, and also mentioned once that he thought Jones was more of a threat to the platoon than the Germans. Captain Square once said he would have “staked Jones out in the sun if he wasn’t so senile!” Despite being discharged from the Army in 1915, he sometimes referred to service in WW1 after that date, including telling an Officer at a weekend training camp he was known as the Mad Bomber in France in 1916. Perhaps Captain Frazer’s description was not that far out. Was elected with 10 votes to pose for a recruiting poster, but victory was spoilt by Private Frazer who asked when they could go round for their sausages! When the photo was being taken by Mr Bluett, Jack was unable to stand still for 6 seconds. Used to take rifle to work at Butchers until bits of sausage and mutton got into it. Once claimed to have been a ‘Winkler’ whatever that may have been. Was kind enough to offer Private Godfrey accommodation when his cottage was due for demolition. Able to do Morse Code. Liked Light Ale. Spent an anxious few days after losing £500 (collected by the local shopkeepers for the new Servicemen’s Canteen) which had turned into half a pound of sausages. Fortunately an honest Mr Billings had been given the money instead of his sausage order. Could give a good demonstration of a Threshing Machine even imitating the noises. Could give a good rendition of ‘Any Old Iron’. Also claimed to do humorous monologues and various forms of mimicry, including impressions of Jack Warner, Arthur Askey and George Arliss (House of Rothschild). Thrown in a Prisoner of War Camp with rest of platoon when printer mixed his photo up with that of an escaped POW. Once reported for failing to salute the CO but he had to keep his hands in his pockets as he had forgotten his braces. With his poor eyesight may have been better saying that he just hadn’t seen him! May have been one of the few people to have seen Mrs Mainwaring when he delivered her some ‘Under the counter’ oxtail, under the misapprehension she was pregnant.

POST WAR: After the War he appears to have continued to run his Butchers until it became too much for him, and probably retired to the cottage so desired by Mrs Jones. Whether it was so easy to fill her big fridge without the assistance of the Butcher’s shop we can only guess. Many years after, Mr Gordon the ex- Town Clerk, spoke of how he used to see Mrs Jones pushing her frail husband around Walmington in his wheelchair. Despite what seemed to be inherent long life in the Jones family, there can be no doubt even Jack and Mrs Jones are now working in the big Butchers up yonder. Not seen at the 1968 ‘Backing Britain’ Dinner/ Re-Union - he would have been 98 years old, so based on his Father’s longevity possibly died in mid/late 60s. It is possible the shop may have been passed over to the boy Raymond.

POSTSCRIPT: Whoever allocated the Butchers telephone number as 252 obviously had a sense of humour as this was (and as far as we know still is), the number of an Army Charge Sheet which Lance Corporal Jones would have had to fill in when he put people ‘On a Fizzer’.

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