Themes

Article highlights

• The career of a Naval Officer who fought ashore

• Pitcairn Jones and the Navy which fought ashore

• Naval Brigades and the Boer War

• The Relief of Ladysmith

• Plaudits and commendations

Plaudits and commendations

On 7 March the crew from HMS Terrible returned to their ship and sailed for China and later the Natal Naval Volunteers also returned to their corps.

Jones did not however, forget the good work they had done. In the style of a magnanimous and caring Captain he writes in his correspondence to Rear-Admiral Harris:

"I have written to their Commander thanking him for their services & mentioning the names of men who have conspicuous for their energy & good conduct. I have also adopted this plan with the names of our own men sending them to the Captains of their Ships with a view to some notification being made on their certificates...The conduct of the whole force has been admirable..."

Following the action of the relief of Ladysmith Jones was himself highly commended. In an extract from General Buller's Dispatch about Jones and his Brigade reads

"As Senior Officer of the Naval Brigade he has earned my most heartfelt thanks. The assistance they have rendered to me has been invaluable; the spirit of their leader was reflected in the men, and at any time, day or night, they were always ready and their work was excellent."

In a further honour Buller requested him and his Aide de Camp to ride with him and his staff at the head of the reliving column into Ladysmith when the troops made their entry.

Following other action in South Africa with the Naval Brigade Jones and his crew from Forte returned to their ship in June 1900. From Durban HMS Forte travelled to the West Coast of Africa to suppress the Ashanti Rebellion.

Invitation card for the Reception of Captain Pitcairn Jones. Note that this invitation bears the name Loftus Jones (RNM)

Soon after the ship arrived, however, Jones was invalided and sent home. Jones returned to a hero's welcome. When he arrived by train at Petersfield Station, Hampshire he was met by a band and taken by carriage to his home where family and friends held a party in his honour.

He received the Companionship of Bath for his services during the Boer War and in 1905 gained promotion to the rank of Rear-Admiral. Jones died in 1908 aged 58.