War hero Harold Jones (pictured) will be laid to rest in his beloved Welshpool on Monday (tomorrow).
Harold sadly passed away on October 3 in Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and his funeral will take place at St Mary’s Church from noon, followed by interment in Maesgwasted Cemetery.
The former Royal Welch Fusilier has been described as a “true gentleman” and a “hero” in social media tributes with the Welshpool branch of the Comrades Association issuing the following statement at the time.
“We are so sad to report the death of our longest serving branch member, Mr Harold Jones 1RWF. Harold passed away at the Royal Shrewsbury, after a short illness. Mobilised at the start of WW2 and eventually posted to 1RWF, Harold sailed to India in 1942 with his battalion, and did not return home to Welshpool until November 1945.
“In March 1943 he fought with his battalion at the Battle of Donbaik and a year later in May 1944 he was wounded at the Battle of Kohima. Both those actions caused the battalion very heavy casualties.
“After recovering from his wounds he rejoined his unit at Milestone 82 and fought through the remainder of the Imphal Campaign until VJ Day in Aug 1945. He finally left the regiment in 1946.
“Harold was a much loved and respected member of the branch and the greater Welshpool community. His lovely family are in our thoughts and we send all our sympathies to his children Nichola, Sandra and Adrian and his grandchildren at this very sad time.”