Jeremiah Jones
| Jeremiah "Jerry" Alvin Jones | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | March 30, 1858 Truro, Nova Scotia |
| Died | November 23, 1950 (aged 92) Nova Scotia |
| Allegiance |
 Canada
|
| Service/branch | 106th Battalion (Nova Scotia Rifles), CEF |
| Years of service | June 19, 1916–May 8, 1918 |
| Rank | Private |
| Awards | Canadian Forces Medallion for Distinguished Service |
| Spouse(s) | Ethel Edna Geraldine Cook |
Jeremiah "Jerry" Alvin Jones (March 30, 1858 - November 23, 1950) was a Black Canadian soldier who served in World War I. He was apparently recommended for a Distinguished Conduct Medal but there is no record of his having received it. His treatment has been seen as an example of the lack of recognition accorded to Black Canadian soldiers. Campaigns to have him receive the medal posthumously eventually resulted in his being awarded the Canadian Forces Medallion for Distinguished Service on February 22, 2010.
Jones enlisted as a private with the 106th Battalion (Nova Scotia Rifles), CEF on June 19, 1916 in Truro, Nova Scotia. He had to lie about his age saying his birthday was on March 29, 1877 which would have made him 39 instead of his real age 58. 716221 Private Jeremiah (Jerry) Jones served in France with The Royal Canadian Regiment. He joined the regiment in the field on 9 Feb 1917 and was evacuated (wounded) to England on 12 April 1917.
During the Battle of Vimy Ridge in World War I, Canadian troops were pinned down by German machine gun fire. Jones volunteered to attack a German gun emplacement. He managed to reach the machine gun nest, tossed a hand grenade and killed several soldiers. The remainder surrendered to him and Jones forced his captives to carry the machine gun back across the battlefield to the Canadian lines, where they were ordered to deposit it at his commanding officer's feet. For his heroics, Private Jones was reportedly recommended for a Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) which he was never awarded.
Jones was wounded in action at Vimy Ridge and again at the Battle of Passchendaele. He was discharged in Halifax on May 8, 1918 after being found medically unfit to serve.
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