James Ira Thomas Jones facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Ira Thomas Jones
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| Nickname(s) | Ira Jones Taffy Jones |
| Born | 18 April 1896 Carmarthenshire, Wales |
| Died | 30 August 1960 (aged 64) Aberaeron, Wales |
| Buried |
Sarnau Chapelyard, Bancyfelin
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| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1913–1936 1939–1945 |
| Rank | Wing Commander |
| Unit | No. 74 Squadron RAF |
| Battles/wars | First World War Second World War |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Order Military Cross Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar Military Medal |
| Other work | Author |
James Ira Thomas "Taffy" Jones (born April 18, 1896 – died August 30, 1960) was a brave British flying ace during the First World War. A flying ace is a military pilot who shoots down many enemy aircraft.
Jones was born in Carmarthenshire, Wales. He joined the army in 1913, then moved to the new Royal Flying Corps. He started as a mechanic on the ground. Later, he became a pilot. He joined No. 74 Squadron RAF and fought until the war ended in 1918.
Even though he was known for crashing his planes when landing, Jones achieved 37 victories in just three months. He flew a Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 plane. He earned many awards for his bravery. These included the Military Cross, the Distinguished Flying Cross (with an extra bar), and the Distinguished Service Order. Jones had a strong belief in fighting hard, even if it meant shooting at enemy pilots who had parachuted out of their planes. This was a very debated topic at the time.
Jones first retired from the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1936. But he rejoined when the Second World War began. After retiring again in 1945, he lived in Wales. He wrote three books about the RFC and RAF. He passed away in 1960 after a fall at his home.
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
Ira Jones was born on April 18, 1896. His mother was Jane Jones, who lived at Woolstone Farm near St Clears, Carmarthenshire. He was a distant relative of the famous poet, Dylan Thomas. They even met later when they both lived in New Quay, Wales, during the Second World War.
In 1913, Jones was working as a clerk. He decided to join the 4th Welsh in the Territorial Army. When the First World War started, Jones was studying wireless telegraphy in London. He then joined the new Royal Flying Corps.
First World War Heroics
Jones was sent to France in July 1915. He started flying combat missions as an observer and gunner in January 1916. He earned his Observer's badge in October 1916. In May 1916, Jones received the Military Medal. This was for bravely rescuing two wounded gunners while under enemy fire. He was working at a wireless station on the front line.
In January 1917, Jones was awarded the Russian Order of the Cross of St. George for his courage. He was sent to England in May 1917 to train as a pilot. He officially became an officer in August 1917. After his training, Jones joined No. 74 Squadron. Here, he became good friends with Captain Edward Mannock, one of his flight commanders. It was with this squadron that he earned his many awards. He once said that pilots felt much better after shooting down their first enemy plane.
Jones received several awards during the First World War. These included the Military Cross and two Distinguished Flying Crosses. On August 3, 1918, it was announced that Jones would get the Distinguished Flying Cross. The award recognized his amazing skill. In just eleven days, he attacked and destroyed six enemy planes. He showed great courage and initiative.
In September 1918, Jones was awarded the Military Cross. The award praised his bravery. It said he shot down enemy planes and even a balloon. He was described as showing "conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty."
Later that same month, Jones received an extra Bar for his Distinguished Flying Cross. The award stated that Jones was a "gallant officer." In the previous three months, he had destroyed twenty-one enemy planes. In November 1918, Jones was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. This award noted that he had destroyed twenty-eight enemy machines since May. It highlighted his "skilful tactics and marksmanship with high courage."
In June 1918, Jones became a flight commander. On July 30, he shot down an LVG two-seater plane. He was flying a badly damaged SE-5a at the time. His own plane then crashed upon landing.
Throughout his time in the service, Jones was known for crashing his aircraft when landing. He reportedly survived about 28 flying accidents. By the end of the war, he had achieved 37 victories in only three months. He flew the Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 with 74 Squadron in France. His victories included 1 balloon destroyed, 28 (and 1 shared) aircraft destroyed, and 6 (and 1 shared) "down out of control." After the war ended, he became the Commanding Officer of No. 74 Squadron until it was closed in 1919.
During the war, he had a strong opinion about shooting enemy pilots who were parachuting. He said that some officers thought it was "unsportsmanlike." But he believed there was a war going on, and he wanted to avenge his friends.
Between the Wars
After the First World War, Jones volunteered to fight in the Russian Civil War. He joined the White movement against the Bolsheviks. He was sent to the Archangel front, but he did not see any more air combat. In 1919, he became a permanent officer in the RAF. He was promoted to flying officer, then flight lieutenant in 1924. He became a squadron leader in 1935. He chose to retire in 1936.
Second World War Service
It's not fully clear how much Jones served in the Second World War. One story from 1939 says that Jones, at 45, tried to rejoin the Royal Air Force. King George VI told him he was "too old."
However, Jones was called back in August 1939. He became the Chief Signals Officer for Training Command Headquarters. By July, he was in charge of No. 7 Bombing and Gunnery School. This was at RAF Stormy Down. Here, one of his most famous actions happened. He was flying an unarmed Hawker Henley near Swansea. He attacked a Junkers Ju 88 bomber using a Very pistol, which is a type of flare gun. His actions were enough to scare off the Junkers, which flew back to its base.
On September 1, he was promoted to the temporary rank of wing commander. He later commanded other training units. He reportedly flew several unofficial missions in a Spitfire. He even took part in fighter sweeps over Europe. An armourer who worked with Jones in 1941 and 1942 remembered him. He said Jones designed an unofficial badge for his unit. He also recalled Jones's special toast, "One f-f-for the T-t-tiger," which he said with a stutter.
During part of the war, Jones and his wife, Olive, lived in New Quay. This was at the same time that Dylan Thomas and his family lived there. Olive described her friendship with Thomas’s wife, Caitlin. She also mentioned times when Dylan Thomas used Ira Jones’s typewriter to work on his poems.
Later Life and Legacy
After the war, Jones returned to St Clears. He worked for the Ministry of Pensions. Jones wrote three books. Two of them were written between the wars. These were King of Air Fighters, a biography of Edward Mannock, and Tiger Squadron, a history of 74 Squadron. His third book was An Air Fighter's Scrapbook.
Death
Ira Jones passed away on August 30, 1960. This happened after he fell at his home in Aberaeron. He was buried at Cana Chapelyard, near Bancyfelin. There is also a special memorial to Jones at the St Clears War Memorial, which he had helped to unveil.
