“POTATO” JONES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 69, 2 January 1941, Page 3

“POTATO” JONES.

NAVAL MAN’S MEMOIRS. Retired Navy man,- deep sea and pearl diver, Corporal Stanley Heath now of the Provost, Corps at Fremantle, during a recent visit to Sydney revealed that he had served with the famous British skipper Captain “Potato” Jones, who ran Franco’s blockade in the Spanish Civil War to take food to starving loyalist civilians. Here is Heath’s story in his own words:—

“I first met Captain Jones in 1936. I had been ill, and was looking for a job. A friend took me down to his office. There I saw a short-tliick-set partially bald man. “ ‘So you want a job, mister’ he said. ‘l’m looking for a mud pilot. The pay’s £4O a month. What about it?’ “I took a deep breath. The pay was most attractive. I told the old man 1 had no papers with me, and he said he wasn’t worrying. ISo I went back for my duds, and in a few hours sailed. “When the captain told me he was the famous ‘Potato’ Jones, I nearly passed out. I had not asked too many questions because I wanted that pay. But 1 knew I was in for some excitement. I sailed with him four voyages—two to Valencia and two to Barcelona. We w r ere carrying food for the loyalists.

“At Barcelona on our first trip, the cargo w r as shifted by old men, young women, and children. They smashed open cases of condensed milk so the kids could carry it upi the wharf, two tins at a time.

“On our first visit to Valencia the same thing happened. But while the unloading was at its height Franco sent over six planes, carrying light and incendiary bombs.

“The slaughter of women and children was sickening. During it all, ‘Potato’ Jones was remarkably calm. He refused to take shelter. ‘l’m an old man,’ he said, ‘and when my time comes I’ll get one. In the meantime, I’m not worrying’.’’