Hugh Jones was born in Liverpool, Lancashire, England, in 1866 or 1867, the son of Hugh and Mary Jones. Nothing is known of his family or early life.
Around 1885, he is believed to have married Bridget Nolan, although no marriage record has been found, and they lived at 42, Bond Street, Everton, Liverpool, Lancashire. The couple had seven children, but five of them had died in infancy or early childhood.
He engaged as a greaser in the Engineering Department on board the Lusitania in April 1915 and reported for duty on the morning of the 17th April before the liner left Liverpool for the last time. He was a professional seaman in the mercantile marine for many years prior to this.
Hugh Jones did not survive the sinking, nor was his body recovered and identified afterwards.
Consequently, he is commemorated on the Mercantile Marine Memorial at Tower Hill, London. He was aged 48 years.
In August 1915, he was officially discharged from the last voyage of the Lusitania and his widow, Bridget, was paid the balance of wages owed to him, in respect of his service on board the Lusitania from the 17th April 1915, until the 8th May, 24 hours after the vessel had
gone down! In addition, The Liverpool and London War Risks Insurance Association Limited granted his widow a yearly pension to compensate her for the loss of her husband which amounted to £19-7s.-11d. (£19.39½p.) which was payable at the rate of £1-11s.-4d. (£1.56½p.) per month.
There is a Trimmer H. Jones shown on the Roll of Honour in the Town Hall in the City of Liverpool and it is probable that this refers to Hugh Jones, perhaps showing a former rank and trade.
1901 Census of England, 1911 Census of England, 1921 Census of England, Cunard Records, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, UniLiv. PR 13/24, PRO BT 334, Deaths at Sea 1871 – 1968, Graham Maddocks, Tom McDonough, Geoff Whitfield, Michael Poirier, Jim Kalafus, Cliff Barry, Paul Latimer, Norman Gray.
Copyright © Peter Kelly.
Revised & Updated – 25th January 2024.