WILLIAM JONES

Leinster Leader 12 July 1958

Mr. William Jones, Athgarvan

The death of Mr. Wm. Jones, Athgarvan, which occurred on Tuesday last removes a very well known and respected figure who had an outstanding record in the fight for freedom.

Deceased was a member of the British Forces (Connaght Rangers) in the first World War and was wounded in 1914 and invalided home.

He joined the Athgarvan Company of the Irish Volunteers in September, 1915, and assisted in the military training of the company.  Arrested in October, 1915, he was charged under the Defence of the Realm Act and was sentenced to a month’s imprisonment by the late Major Thackerary, R.M., at Lumville Petty Sessions.  He was also dismissed from his employment at Curragh Camp and lost his British Military Pension.

He was mobilised with the Athgarvan Company in 1916 and when the Volunteers were reorganised in 1917 he took part in all the activities of the Athgarvan Company and also assisted in the training of other companies in the area.

In 1920 he was appointed Battalion Training Officer and held this position until the Truce.

He was “on the run” in 1921 and was arrested with Mr. Michael Smyth, Brigade O.C., on July 7.  He was in Harepark Camp until October when he was sent for trial to Mountjoy.  While in Mountjoy he underwent the hunger strike of 1921; he was released in January, 1922 on the occasion of the general amnesty.  He took the anti-treaty side in 1922 and was again arrested and interned at Harepark.

He was awarded the military service medal and certificate with pension.  He took a prominent part in Old I.R.A. organisation and acted as a member of the Kildare Brigade Firing Party on a number of years.

The remains were removed to St. Brigid’s Parish Church, Kilcullen, and the funeral, with full military honours, took place to St. Conleth’s Cemetery, Droichead Nua.