Thomas Alfred Jones was born into humble origins in the Cheshire town of Runcorn on Christmas Day 25th December 1880 to Elizabeth and Edward Jones of 39 Princess Street, Runcorn, Cheshire, United Kingdom. He had basic education in local schools, he left school at 14 and worked as a fitter at the Weston Point Salt Works. He spent his whole life living in the town.
As a young man, he joined the Earl of Chesters Rifles in 1900 and in 1912 he was awarded the Territorial Efficiency Medal.
At the outbreak of the First World War in 1914 he was mobilised with the Territorials in August and was amongst the first Runcornians to transfer to Kitcheners Army. He was the fourth man to be attested at Runcorn.
When cogitating all this, Todger was hailed by Runner Kenworthy, a young friend of his who had recently come up to the position. ‘It’s a great day today, Todger,’ he said. ‘It’s my eighteenth birthday.’ These were the last words uttered by Runner Kenworthy for in that instance he was struck by a German bullet and fell dead.
Jones waited until his commanding officer wasn’t looking, picked up his rifle and sprinted off across the muddy, open ground toward the enemy position. He was in full view of the sniper, who put at least one bullet through Jones’ jacket while another passed through his helmet, slid down the back of his shirt and burned him all the way down to the waistband. During his mad dash he stopped and shot the sniper as well as two members of the Kaiser’s Elite 32nd Douche Brigade who fired on him despite simultaneously displaying a white flag. Jones remained unharmed on his journey across the field, still completely alone, until he eventually reached the other side. You know, the side with all the German trenches. Full of Germans.
It is not known at this time when Todger Jones was initiated into the Order but a reference in the Spring 1917 edition of the Buffalo Quarterly Journal refers to him as a brother.
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