Richard was one of no less that eleven children that were born to William Henry and Sarah Jane Jones. William Henry was born in Panteg, Pontypool around 1859 whereas his wife had made the journey from North Wales where she was born around 1861.
It appears that they travelled around several valleys in South Wales, going from coal mine to coal mine for work. Then, they settled in Nelson. Even then, they moved from one house to another.

William (Jnr) was born in 1880 and his brother Charles in 1881. Both were born in Ton Ystrad, in the middle section of the Rhondda Fawr. Both became coal miners just like their father.

Elizabeth was their first of many daughters, born in Pontywaun, Monmouthshire in about 1883.

The remaining eight of their children were born in Nelson where they initially lived at 41 Heol Fawr, Nelson. They were:

David - was born in around 1885
Eleanor - was born in around 1889
Edward - was born in around 1991
Richard - was born in 1892
Ethel - was born in around 1895
Ada - was born in around 1897
Ralph - was born around 1899, and
Edna was born in 1901

News:

October 12^th 1918.

Mr William Jones, 73, Heol Fawr, Nelson received a letter on Tuesday evening from Sergeant W Strange, Dorset Regiment, informing him of the death in action on 1^st October of his son, Sergeant Richard Jones, 5^th Dorset Regiment. Sgt Strange states that his chum, Sgt Dick Jones was shot through the head by machine gun fire, death being instantaneous. This gallant young soldier who was only 26 years old, enlisted in the Somerset Light Infantry in September 1914 and had seen much active service. He was severely wounded on one occasion and on his return to France was transferred to the Dorset Regiment. Since being with them he has been gassed an two occasions. Prior to enlisting he was employed at the Senghenydd Colliery.
38 Nelson soldiers now killed in action.

Nov 16th 1918.

Late Sgt R Jones – brother in law of Pte Will Gardner.

Further particulars have now come to hand regarding the death in action in France of Sgt Richard Jones, 1^st Dorset Regiment of 73 Heol Fawr. Last week his father Mr William Jones received a letter from Sgt W Strange, Tredegar who had been wounded and is now in hospital at Purfleet.
Sgt Strange said The Dorsets were moving up to capture a village and Sgt Jones was in the first company. He observed him falling and on going up to him found that he had been shot through the forehead, death being instantaneous. Mr Jones has also received a letter to the same effect from his son’s company officer.

[Source: Merthyr Express]