Loftus William Jones

Commander Loftus William Jones VC (13 November 1879 – 31 May 1916) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Naval career Born 13 November 1879 in Southsea to Admiral Loftus Francis Jones and Gertrude (née Gray), of Petersfield, Hampshire, Jones was educated at Eastman's Royal Naval Academy. He was appointed as a sub-lieutenant to HMS Spiteful in 1901. he was appointed later that year to , shore station at Hong Kong, for service on destroyers in reserve at the China Station. He rose to become a commander in the Royal Navy aboard during the First World War.

Jones was 36 years old, on 31 May 1916, at the Battle of Jutland when he performed an act of bravery for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. Jones went down with his ship.

Citation

Commander Jones' body was washed ashore in Western Sweden some days after the battle. He was originally buried at Fiskebäckskil, Västra Götaland, Sweden. His body was transferred to the British War Graves plot in Kviberg Cemetery, Gothenburg in 1961.

Home town memorial There is a memorial to him outside St Peter's Church, Petersfield.