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James Ira Thomas Jones

James Ira Thomas Jones
Ira Jones.jpg
Nickname(s) Ira Jones
Taffy Jones
Born (1896-04-18)18 April 1896
Carmarthenshire, Wales
Died 30 August 1960(1960-08-30) (aged 64)
Aberaeron, Wales
Buried at Sarnau Chapelyard, Bancyfelin
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch  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 DSO, MC, DFC & Bar, MM (18 April 1896 – 30 August 1960) was a British flying ace during the First World War. Jones was born on 18 April 1896 at Woolstone Farm, near St. Clears, Carmarthenshire. In 1913, Jones enlisted in the Territorial Army, though he was soon transferred into the newly established Royal Flying Corps. serving as an air mechanic on ground duties (where he earned the Military Medal) before volunteering for flying duties as an Observer. Jones commenced pilot training in August 1917 after being commissioned. After completing his training he joined No. 74 Squadron.

Throughout his service at No. 74 Squadron Jones won several awards and decorations; being awarded the Military Cross, the Distinguished Flying Cross and bar and the Distinguished Service Order. Although having a reputation for crashing his aircraft when attempting to land, Jones recorded 37 victories in just 3 months whilst flying the Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 during the First World War. After retiring in 1936, Jones was recommissioned after the outbreak of the Second World War, and flew briefly during the Battle of Britain. After retiring again at the end of the Second World War, Jones lived in Wales where he wrote three books on the RFC and RAF. He died in 1960 through complications after a fall at his home in Wales.


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