大象传媒

Irving Henry Jones grew up in the mining village of Bedwas, South Wales. His father鈥檚 ambition for his only son of four children had always been to follow in his footsteps and be a 鈥渢op class鈥� coal miner. Despite Irving鈥檚 great academic strengths including winning the offer of a scholarship to attend college, his father didn鈥檛 feel this was the best path for Irving, especially as a Baptist when the scholarship was being offered by the Church of England.

After leaving school at the age of 12 and a half, Irving went straight to work at the local tin works, and then he worked underground in the pit from the age of 13.

At the outbreak of WW1, Irving was 16 years old, with several years of working and contributing to the family housekeeping behind him, he considered himself to be a fully-fledged man.

Despite his contentment being a collier, Irving recalls the 鈥榃e Want You鈥� Kitchener posters making quite an impact on him. Irving explained 鈥淚 always used to think he鈥檚 pointing at me. We Want You鈥� .

It was August 1914, Irving passed himself off as a 21 year old and before he knew it he was part of the 10th Bn Welsh Regiment.
Before leaving for training, Irving reassured his parents that he鈥檇 be back in 6 month once they鈥檇 beaten 鈥渢he Jerries鈥�, and admits that he was looking forward to a 鈥渂reak from the pit鈥� 鈥� 鈥渉ow wrong we were鈥�

Location: Bedwas, Caerphilly CF83 8
Image of Caerphilly miners courtesy of Museums and Heritage Service, Winding House, Caerphilly County Borough Council

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