R. A. Jones

Robert Arthur Jones (20 November 1849 – 23 May 1925) was born in Liverpool but moved to Southend-on-Sea after working for a clock and watchmaker in Manchester. In 1890 he set up his jewellery business on Southend's High Street. He went on to become one of the most important benefactors of the town.

R. A. Jones & Sons In 1890, Jones moved from Stoke-on-Trent to Southend, purchasing the watchmaking business of Alexander Wixley.

The store closed in 1979, when it was replaced by a Lavells newsagents, which in turn was replaced by Dixons, another firm started in Southend. The building is still prominent in Southend High Street, currently hosting Yours Clothing, with its large clock and the name R.A.Jones moulded into the fascia.

An image of the shop, taken c.1914, is preserved in the Essex Record Office. An archive of papers, receipts and photographs relating to the business of R. A. Jones & Sons is cared for at the Central Museum, Southend.

Personal life Jones married Emma Julia Pedley in 1878 in Stoke-on-Trent. The couple had two sons, Edward Cecil and Arthur Percy. In 1907, Jones put forward that the borough of Southend-on-Sea should change its name to Thamesmouth. The campaign failed but he named his house on Clifftown Parade after his idea. In 1919, Jones was made the second ever Honorary Freeman of Southend-on-Sea because of his philanthropy, while in 1920 he was awarded an MBE for his wartime roles during World War I. Jones died at the age of 75, on 23 May 1925 and his funeral saw the town turn out in force along the procession route, with the service taking place at St. John's the Baptist, with his body being interred at Priory Park.

Philanthropy

In 1913, Jones presented the Jones Memorial Ground to the schoolchildren of the town of Southend in memory of his wife. It had cost him £9,000.

Priory Park in Prittlewell was donated to the town by Jones: in 1917 he purchased Prittlewell Priory from the Scratton family, along with 22 acres of land. Having negotiated the purchase of a further six acres, he then presented the site stating, "I think it is a sin for a man to die rich, it is a great privilege to me to be able to do this, for I believe strongly in facilities for recreation. There will now be no need for such an out of the way and costly park as Belfairs. Prittlewell, with its historic and old-world associations, its beautiful trees and lakes, and its nearness to the centre of town, is an ideal place. Part of the building would be suitable for a museum, and there would also be refreshment room accommodation, while the grounds would provide facilities for cricket, football, tennis, hockey and other sports. I propose that the name of the park should be Priory Park".

A public drinking fountain, commemorating the fallen of World War I and given by Jones, is sited in Priory Park.

The clock at the entrance to Prittlewell Square was donated by Jones.

Additional photographs