What an absolute hero, wonderful that his story is still alive today. He's a credit for the ages, like all our Tommies, to our country and the gallantry of its fighting men. God Bless him! 🇬🇧 🇬🇧 🇬🇧
Absolutely amazing. He was what you can call "a legendary hero". His story confirms what my dad told me. "All of us have a role to play in life, however we do not know the end nor the script. That is what we call Fate" In other words, Tom Jones was not "lucky", he simply was destined to survive and die of old age. What a hero! He deserved 2 Victoria Crosses! You are a born story-teller. Greetings from grey and humid Buenos Aires!
My grandfather was in his 30's when he joined up, a Scotsman in a Welsh regiment. He died long before I was born which has always been a regret of mine. I knew a few old soldiers when I was a boy and often wish I could have recorded some of those elder guys knowing what they had been through.
You are of the same opinion as I am. When I was a young boy I used to sit in my Grandfathers pub at lunch time with his friends as they played dominoes. I used to shuffle and deal said playing pieces. Those ordinary old men, just Grandads friends, but they in their younger days had been anything but ordinary. All WW1 veterans, none ever mentioning anything about that time. All long gone now and mostly with their stories consigned to an unknown history.
Oh definitely should be a movie, an historically accurate one would be great. I love that the statue included the dent. Surprised it didn't ring his bell. To all of the heroes , God bless.
What a man, what a character. Great to hear about Thomas Jones VC. There are so many WWI documentaries that leave you wondering if the British were even in the war. Thanks for posting.
HE TRULY WAS A FIGHTER! His marksmanship was an exact reflection of the marksmanship of the BEF of 1914. I am telling you, there is a lot from that era the British Army can learn from. What Jones accomplished that day was one of the greatest single feats of soldiership in military history and he was a VOLUNTEER just like the BEF of 1914! As for his marksmanship and that of the BEF at the beginning of the war, I wish that the British Army of today would be at that same standard. It was most useful back then and can be useful today. Jones more than deserved the medals he got! Well done, Chris and keep rolling them out!
Most could not shoot straight to save their lives. This first started in both the boer wars and just before the First World War. The thought of having to train men to shoot in mass was a headache for the War office. Then along came The News of the World who started to sponsor Rifle and Pistol clubs in City's Towns and Villages up and down the UK. They also gave prizes of solid silver teaspoons for the best-submitted target scores. My father who got his training in the Grenadier Guards used to win so many of these spoons ( You could recognise them by a target on the handle end) he would give away sets of six as wedding presents to friends and colleges. There most be loads out there .😢
My great grandfather charged in the Somme and was wounded . He was saved by the Germans and looked after in their hospitals . He went a long way to be saved and has me as part of his legacy . Love too those who risk their lives to save others
My great uncle William was shot in the face (ww1) he too was looked after by the Germans. After the war, he kept in touch with the German surgeon and had a German Shepherd which he called Fritz.
@@jameseadie7145 I am glad your great uncle survived. I am sick and tired of the never-ending propaganda about the "evil" Germans. Most soldiers, of all European nations, were decent, honourable men; which makes even more tragic the awful slaughter of 1914=1918. Regards from Argentina.
What a fantastic person he was and modest to boot....brave but mad as a hatter and improvising when needed. Should have been promoted. Thanks Chris for a great story.
My father worked for Metropolitan Vickers in the late 1940s. Many employees were recently returned WW2 vets who would often gently tease the old man with the tea trolley about his age and that “old war” . One more informed colleague told them they should cease and to visit a local Runcorn pub to see Tom’s medals kept behind the bar.
Regarding the Battle of the Somme, it would be an obvious follow up to this immense story, to tell the tales of all our VC heroes in that almighty clash of arms.
Battle of the Somme is huge. There is bound to be a regiment I forget to talk about which will cause some vets grief! But, seriously, it is a story that needs telling and I am up for it.
Here's another great story that leaves me with tears in my eyes of how proud I am of this truly brave man💪😢🇬🇧 To say enough's enough after seeing a boy die😵🤬 that's laying down your life for your brother's... God was with our Tommy that day🙏💯🇬🇧🆘 fancy our country never letting us remember such valour🤔🤫🗣️📢🎬🇬🇧💯 Lest we forget 🙏💪✌️🙏 thank you for the story of the great but humble worrier.....WE WILL REMEMBER 🙏✌️
I not only live in Runcorn but i served in the TA with the 3rd Battalion the 22nd Cheshire Regiment. Every solider in the Regiment learns the history of Thomas Jones VC. I was also there at the unveiling of the statue in 2014 and every year since, myself and other Members of Halton Branch of the Cheshire Regiment lay a wreath at the statue on Remembrance Sunday. I have also organised a service at his grave after it was cleaned by the VC association a couple of years ago. Our Branch will continue to pay our respects every year with the regimental prayer, the laying of a wreath and a toast of port, to this legend of a man Todger Jones VC.
WOW what a story !!! He should be a house hold name , yes a film would be a fantastic Thank you (belated of course) and tribute to such a hero. Thank you for posting his amazing and heart warming story!!
A German veteran once commented that very few German soldiers exhibited the initiative and bravery of British or American soldiers in combat. He wondered why this was so and said it never occurred to him or his fellow soldiers to do what allied soldiers did. I can't verify for my self that German soldiers weren't as brave as allied soldiers but this veteran sounded serious. Could it be true? Sgt. York and Priv. Jones were certainly examples of incredible bravery and maybe later they thought they were also incredibly foolish, but by golly they certainly inspire respect!
No side can claim to have been braver than the other, both sides can say they have their own examples of bravery/foolishness. The main thing I believe it boils down to is individual initiative. German soldiers at the time had training in them to make them superb soldiers but also were made into men who did not question orders or do things on their own.
@@Kage342It’s funny but the Germans had exactly the same opinion about the British. They thought the British lacked initiative once their officers became casualties even comparing them unfavourably in this respect to the Russians.
A few very interesting points, the truth will be somewhere in the middle I expect. Soldiers with sound training and leader, showing initiative and willing to go the extra mile. Again Soldiers poorly trained in an atmosphere of do as I say not as I do, resulting in sub optimal initiative and zeal. All military’s suffer with this to some extent.
A truly amazing, gallant and modest man. Apparently, such modestly is a common trait VC holders, who (sadly) are, I believe, encouraged to keep the real medal in a bank, or similar, and to buy a copy and wear that, as values are "off the clock"
Totally agree with you about this being turned into a film, would be great to show the heroism endured of this fine brave soldier, Ps and yes, I, a fully grown adult still chuckled like a school boy hearing a swear word at his nickname 😂
I liked the nickname "Todger ", very appropriate for the daring Brit who charged into the German trenches. I enjoy the hilarity in your voice when you find something humorous, like using the tactic of getting their great coats to buy time for reinforcements to arrive. A hero and remind me never to make him angry, you would not like me when I am angry! 😊
Hi Chris, I was wondering if you would be able to do a video on Wilfrith Elstob V.C, a modern King Leonidas if you will. I’d love to hear you tell his story. Upon the Germans demanding he surrender he defiantly shouted “NEVER!” And was shot dead. He made an unforgettable last stand
Just found your channel and have subscribed, my favourite V.C is the Jackson one when the bloke went out on the aeroplane wing when it was on fire , first opening his parachute and telling his crew mates to hold the ropes of it so he could go put the fire out on the engine .
I am so glad that this channel has finally given this story the respect and recognition that it deserves. I live a couple of streets away from where Thomas Jones or Todger as we still affectionately call him was born and died. I'm not going to name drop but one of the reasons why he was never promoted above the rank of private was because the Officer who ordered him to continue digging and told him that he ' Couldn't Have A Go " ( At The Germans ) actually put him in for a cout martial for disobeying an order. More specifically his platoon Sergeant who was apparently quite jealous of how popular Todger was among the men insisted that he was put on a charge which eventually lead to a summary court martial. But it was finally decided at a more senior level that there would be public outrage back in Britain if the story ever got out so thankfully the court martial was overturned and the VC was instead reluctantly awarded much to the dismay of his Commanding Officer and more specifically his Sergeant. Unfortunately however the fact that his court martial was overturned did not sit well with the powers that be which left a slight stain on the rest of his military career. I doubt that there will ever be a film made about a Thomas ( Todger ) Jones VC but i think that there is a book.
He definitely warrants a movie. Having a bit of knowledge on the battle of the Somme it seems incredible that he survived the entire war without a scratch. That he remained a private throughout the war despite his heroism is hard to fathom. Then one remembers that he defied a direct order from his commanding officer to charge the German trench. Pure speculation on my part, of course.
Well Chis what an astonishing story.What a character. York did have sssistance at Meuse Argonne and that was two years after Thomas Jones.Runcorn is not far from my home residence and I will certainly make a visit and pay my respects. Incredible story. Befitting both received their countries highest honour. Another jewel. Thanks Chris.
remember that when Sgt York captured his Germans, which i think was October 1918 ,Germans were surrendering in droves, most of them were hungry and tired of war, bravo Thomas
My grandfather was in the US army in WW 1and carried German shrapnel in his belly until he died at 96 years of age. Three times a widower. They don''t make men from such tough stuff like that any more.
Alvin York has a very quick wit that reminds me of some of the sayings of the British soldiers you tell in your videos. For example during an attack a German officer was preparing to surrender so shouted out “English?” Meaning the language but York responded “No, American!” Later a American General said to York “Sergeant I heard you captured the whole German Army” and he simply responded “No Sir only a 100 of them”
This story puts me in mind of the Green Howard Stan Hollis VC; when asked why? he replied "I was angry that so many young men that I'd trained and lived with, were being slaughtered".
Thank you for another excellent video. I must say that I hadn't heard of this man before, but what a remarkable individual! Thank you for bringing his story to us.
Marvellous presentation Mr Green, if only the studios would make military films about REAL people and events,rather than conjure up fictional nonsense....there's so much material to choose from.
@TheHistoryChap I did hear in the extras of some war movie (13 Hours I think) that they had had to tone done some of the actual heroics that were in the film, because the audience would find them too far fetched.
This is like a "Boys Own" story! I think the Germans' morale in that trench must have been very low The British and German trenches could have carried on firing on each other for who knows how long? But to see Tom Jones suddenly appear and start killing the men in the trench, looking so strong and certain of what he was doing, I think they just thought "it's over". And were probably glad it was over too. It's almost like he beat them psychologically. Backed up with superb fighting skills. Incredible courage and determination. What a man. Thank you History Chap for relating these stories of extraordinary heroism. So well told.
Jones's action is more amazing than York's because this happened in 1916 rather than in 1918 when many if not most German soldiers just wanted to surrender.
British history fans of my acquaintance are not very happy that Albert Jacka did so many unfathomably brave things. Bloody arrogant colonials! Great to hear about Thomas Jones VC. A hell of a feat.... and as you say, alongside the greatest feat of all.... survival. Seemingly not enough to gain promotion, let alone a commission. Thanks!
thank you for covering Tom, i live in Runcorn and past his statue most days and also have book by Liz Howard (curiositybookshop) from Runcorn about him.
@@TheHistoryChap i was 22nd Cheshire Regiment, he is a very proud part of our regimental history. His life was one thing we first learned about , very interesting
Such magnificent valor. I wonder if, in the inception of the SAS, their motto was founded. He proves that it is true on the battlefield, "Who Dares Wins".
An extraordinary gentleman. May he rest in peace 🙏 I wonder, did he ever hear of Sergeant York, and did Sergeant York ever hear of Thomas Jones VC ? Thank you very much for a very interesting video.
As a Cheshireman my self, its this heroic story of an Englishman, a Cheshireman no less, that fills me with not only great English pride but also Cheshire pride as well... I don't know what it is about my native English Shire, but there seems to be little shortage of great heroic Englishmen that spring forth in England's time of need, to teach England's enemy's to Dance a Cheshire Round. Great video mate... Cheshire Lads are Chief of Men.
I think my Dad, a Brit, summed up heroes in the non-American war story, he said "I know I was there, I know what I did, that's good enough", no, no heroic deeds, he went did his bit and luckily came home.
When I was 8years old my grandad took me across our village of Hazel Grove to see his friend Wilfred (Wilf) Wood VC. Google him . In WW1 in northern Italy he took 140 and then another 160 prisoners single handed by charging at machine gun nests with a Lewis gun. The commanders sent him home to train recruits, which is why he survived, I suppose. Grandad brought a small cake and orange squash and Wilf gave me his VC to hold and I read the citation while he told me about it. The medal was a dull brown metal with faults in the casting on the rear face ( unstable bronze alloy from an old cannon). I was confused because he had done what sergeant York did TWICE ( except sacrifice himself deliberately , we should not discount that), but no film or, by the nineteen sixties, much public recognition. I asked him why he did it, and he said that his mates were getting killed around him by the gunners so when the Lewis gunner fell next to him he picked it up and charged, firing. The gunners took hits and then panicked , so he finished them off and turned their gun on the Austrian trenches. He said he felt absolutely furious and lost any hope of safety, accepted he was good as dead anyway, just wanted revenge and to stop the killing. He asked what I wanted to be, so I said RAF pilot ( like Biggles). They went quiet for a moment, then Wilf said '' If they ask for volunteers , never step forward.'' Grandad said '' Have you got anything else you want to ask Wilf ?'' and I said '' No thank you'' . Wilf said ''He's more interested in't cake!'' And the two of them laughed 'till they cried. It was decades later that I looked up the story and understood. Now it is a treasured memory. He was not tall or muscular and was mild mannered and seemed very nice.
Good man. I live not too far from where Alvin York lived. He was from the Cumberland Plateau of Tennessee (Pall Mall, TN), and I live in the Smoky Mtn foothills. Something interesting in the York story was that he used turkey calls (he knew how to call turkey to hunt them, important skill in turkey hunting) to get the Germans' attention and distract them. I don't know if that is 100% true considering the noise of battle, but that is the story (turkey calling is a loud and very distinct sound so possible). Have a good one!
Amazing! A genuine hero indeed! He displayed unimaginable valour and great control of his mind in the enemy trench. To me, he is someone who seems to be from King Arthur's undefeatable guards! Reincarnated! Rejuvenated! Only to save Britain from her foes and the disgrace caused by them. A lion of the lions that served England during WW1. Glory to the hero!
What a great story - thank you for that. BTW: There's no bayonet on the statue's rifle. The statue looks less imposing without it, and I'm sure the bayonet would have been useful in the trench...
A little story, There had been a parade at Chester Castle (Home of the Cheshires) during WWII. As the soldiers were lined up ready to dismiss, the senior NCO on parade marched up to an unassuming member of the Home Guard and asked for permission to dismiss. Of course that man was Thomas Jones VC. The VC gives seniority on parade.
What an awesome story! I am glad you posted this story because I learned something new. I never knew that this happened. However, here in the United States, we did not cover WWI very well in our history classes.
@@TheHistoryChap You are correct on that. They cover WW2 more deeply than our founding, our attachment to Britain, or any other aspect of our history. World History is now non-existent in our high schools. Sad
It must have been exciting for these young men to enlist. My father said when he enlisted in 1939 he was given £5 and a uniform, more money that he had held up until enlistment.
