Flight Sergeant Mervyn Anthony Jones, RAF, 1940 Grand National Winning Jockey.

Discussion in 'War Cemeteries & War Memorial Research' started by CL1, Apr 7, 2019.

  1. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Mervyn Anthony Jones, was first past the post to become the winner of the 1940 Grand National.

    Mervyn Anthony Jones was born on the 12th of May, 1919 at Llwynwhilwg Farm, Llanelli. He was the son of Herbert Jones who was a farmer. His mother, Ann Elizabeth Jones, was related to the famous Kidwelly horse trainers, the Anthony brothers.

    Both Mervyn and his brother, William Hywell Anthony Jones, were pupils of Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Carmarthen, and were prominent members of the school’s rugby team.

    Llwynwhilwg Fawr farmhouse used to stand approximately half way down Penyfan Road, and most probably gave its name to the Llwynwhilwg Housing Estate that was built for the Llanelli Borough Council in the early 1960s. Both brothers had ‘joined up’ in the Second World War and were serving in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. The two airmen were given special leave to ride in the greatest steeple chase in the world. Sergeant Mervyn Jones had just passed his navigation exam and was then told to “Go and navigate the horse ‘Bogskar’ around Aintree” which he did, coming in first at odds of 25-1. Tragically the two brothers died in the war and are both remembered on the Royal Air Force memorial at Runnymede. Flying Officer W. H. A. Jones was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

    Llanelli’s Grand National Winner
    1940 Grand National - Wikipedia
    Flight Sergeant JONES, MERVYN ANTHONY

    Service Number 748630

    Died 03/04/1942

    Aged 23

    1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit.
    Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

    Son of Herbert and Anne Elisabeth Jones, of Carmarthen. Rode the winner of Grand National Steeplechase, 1940.
    Commemorated at RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

    Location: Surrey, United Kingdom
    Number of casualties: 20275

    Cemetery/memorial reference: Panel 75.

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    His Brother also died in service

    Flying Officer JONES, WILLIAM HYWELL ANTHONY

    Service Number 139316

    Died 14/11/1944

    Aged 29

    517 Sqdn.
    Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
    Son of Herbert and Anne Elisabeth Jones, of Carmarthen.
    D F C
    Commemorated at RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

    Location: Surrey, United Kingdom
    Number of casualties: 20275

    Cemetery/memorial reference: Panel 207.



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  2. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Western Mail & South Wales News, Saturday, April 6, 1940
    Jones1.jpg
    Western Mail & South Wales News, Monday, April 6, 1942
    Jones2.jpg
    Western Mail & South Wales News, Monday, August 23, 1943
    Jones3.jpg
     
    Tricky Dicky, CL1 and ozzy16 like this.
  3. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

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