Themes

Article highlights

• The career of a Victoria Cross recipient

• Rising through the ranks

• At the Battle of Jutland

• National hero

National hero

Fishermen found Jones's body found washed up at Fiskebacksie on the coast of Sweden a few weeks after the action. They held a funeral and buried Jones's body on the 24 June 1916. Many locals attended and bought wreaths and floral tributes.

The fishermen erected a joint monument for Jones and a German sailor also washed up, from money that they had raised. The International War Graves Commission later transferred his body to the Kviberg Cemetery in Sweden.

Loftus William Jones's Medals - VC top left. (RNM)

Only six out of the 91 officers and men of HMS Shark survived the action. The King awarded the survivors Distinguished Service Orders and Jones the Victoria Cross posthumously.

Margaret Jones, Loftus William Jones's wife, received his VC at Buckingham Palace. As he awarded it, the King was reported to have expressed his deep regret that the Navy had been robbed of so gallant an officer.

Admiralty letter dated 7.3.1917 addressed to Mrs Loftus Jones by Charles Walker and inviting her to attend Buckingham Palace to receive the Victoria Cross posthumously awarded to her husband Commander Loftus William Jones RN for his action in HMS Shark at the Battle of Jutland 31.5.1916. (RNM)

Front Page of The Scout newspaper, 5th May 1917. (RNM)