WW1 Britain''s answer to American Hero, Sgt. Alvin York - Thomas Jones VC

Thomas Jones VC, from Runcorn Cheshire, was Britain's answer to American hero, Sgt Alvin York, who captured over 100 Germans single-handed.

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Whilst the feats of both men are incredible, Alvin York became more famous not least because a Hollywood film was made about him - "Sergeant York" starring Gary Cooper.

Thomas Alfred Jones was born in Runcorn, north west England in 1880.
In 1914, at the outbreak of World War One, he was recalled to the army (having served in the Territorial Army - reserves) and joined the local Cheshire Regiment.

On the 25th September 1916, his battalion took part in the battle of Morval, during the larger battle of the Somme.
Having successfully cleared the Germans from in front of the village, his unit were ordered to dig a defensive position.

It was during this digging that they came under fire from German snipers, some of whom were shooting under the cover of white flags.
An incensed Thomas Jones grabbed his rifle and headed out towards the German lines telling his officer: "“If I’m going to die, I’ll die fighting not digging” .

Making his way across the 200 yards (180m) of no mans land he shot a German sniper in a tree before taking out two more Germans who were firing on him from their positions.

He then jumped into the enemy trench where he shot at least 8 Germans dead before starting to lob grenades into bunkers.
Rapidly, under this ferocious attack, Germans started to emerge with their hands in the air.

In all, Thomas Jones, captured 102 German soldiers.
By the time his comrades arrived they found the Germans in a hollow being guarded by a solitary British soldier.

Thomas Alfred Jones from the Cheshire Regiment was awarded the Victoria Cross - Britain's highest medal for valour.
Later in the war he was also awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM).

He lived the rest of his life in Runcorn, Cheshire and died in 1956.
He is buried in Runcorn cemetery.

In 2014 on the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of The Great War, a statue was unveiled of Thomas in his hometown.
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Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:56 Runcorn Cheshire
2:41 WW1
5:11 Battle of Morval
6:17 Jones snaps
7:28 Kills 11 Germans
8:21 Takes 102 prisoners
10:36 Reinforcements arrive
11:34 Alvin York
12:09 Victoria Cross
14:09 The History Chap

Sources include: "Todger" by Neil Thornton, VC & GC Associations, Imperial War Museum and the Victoria Cross Trust.
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My name is Chris Green and I love to share stories from British history. Not just because they are interesting but because, good or bad, they have shaped the world we live in today.

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