"We all loved your son. He was the best officer in our company and never will be replaced by one like him."
A gunner who served in the same Tank company testified his love and admiration for our son and said that all the men would do anything for him; even the roughest came under his spell.
A brother officer who served with Paul in the 2nd Cavalry Brigade, in paying homage to his character, wrote: "He was a most interesting and lovable companion and friend. He never seemed to think of himself at all."
Among the many tributes that reached us were several from the masters, old boys, and present boys at Dulwich College. Several of the writers express the opinion that Paul Jones would, if he had lived, have done great things. Mr. Gilkes, late headmaster of Dulwich, in a touching letter, spoke of the nobility of his character and his high gifts; Mr. Smith, the present headmaster, testified to his intellectual power, energy and keenness; Mr. Joerg, master of the Modern Sixth, to his sense of justice, loyalty and truth; Mr. Hope, master of the Classical Sixth, to his high conception of duty, "his sterling qualities and great ability." From the young man who was captain of the school when Paul was head of the Modern Side came this testimony: "He was one of the finest characters of my time at school; in me he inspired all the highest feelings." One of his contemporaries in the Modern Sixth wrote: "I owe more than I can express to your son's influence over me. As long as I live I shall never forget him. His spirit is with me always; for it is to him that I owe my first real insight into life." A well-known Professor wrote: "I felt sure he was destined to do great things; but he has done greater things; he has done the greatest thing of all." Some of these letters are set forth in full in the Epilogue.
Appended is a list of events in this rich and strenuous, albeit brief life:
- Born at 6 Cloudesdale Road, Balham, May 18th, 1896.
- Entered Dulwich College, September, 1908.
- Junior Scholarship, Dulwich College, June, 1909.
- Senior Scholarship, Dulwich College, June, 1912.
- Matriculated, with honours, London University, 1911.
- Appointed Prefect at Dulwich, September, 1912.
- Secretary and Treasurer of the College Magazine, 1913-14.
- Editor of The Alleynian, 1914-15.
- Head of the Modern Side, 1913-15.
- Member of 1st XV, 1912-13, 1913-14, 1914-15.
- Hon. Secretary 1st XV, 1913-14.
- Captain of Football, 1914-15.
- Won a Balliol Scholarship, December, 1914.
- Tied for "Victor Ludorum" Shield, March, 1915.
- Joined the Army, April, 1915.
- Killed in Action, July 31st, 1917.
All that was mortal of Paul Jones is buried at a point west of Zonnebeke, north-east of Ypres.[Back to Contents]
PART I
MEMOIR
