NAVAL MATTERS

Southland Times, Issue 17967, 7 March 1917, Page 5

NAVAL MATTERS

A JUTLAND EPISODE COMMANDER JONES’ GALLANTRY DAUNTLESS IN THE PACE OP DEATH (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright) (The Times.) LONDON, March 5. Received March 6, 8.25 p.m. A thrilling story of the battle of Jutland is now fully revealed by the Admiralty announcement of the posthumous award of the Victoria Cross to Commander Jones, of the destroyer Shark, which led the division of destroyers in the attack on the enemy battle-cruiser squadron. The Shark was disabled by two shells when another destroyer came between the Shark and the enemy, and offered to assist. Commander Jones refused, saying that if the other remained it would almost certainly be sunk. Then, though wounded in the leg, lie helped to man the after wheel, and subsequently when the forecastle and after guns and crews were blown away. Commander Jones assisted in keeping the mid-ship gun in action. FURTHER DETAILS. SURVIVORS DECORATED. (Australian & N.Z. Cable Assn & Reuter) LONDON, March 6. Received March 7, 12.45 a.m. The Shark all the time was under the heaviest fire. A shell amputated Commander Jones’s leg above the knee, but he continued to command the gun crew, despite his agony. Commander Jones, noticing that the Bnsign was not properly hoisted, ordered another to be raised. Then, seeing that the ship was doomed, ho ordered the crew to don life-

belts. Almost immediately the Shark was torpedoed and sank and Commander Jones was drowned. The survivors who were picked up were awarded Distinguished Service Medals.