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Wing-Cmdr. Ira Jones
James Ira Thomas “Taffy” Jones DSO, MC, DFC & Bar, MM (18 April 1896 - 30 August 1960) was a British flying ace during the First World War.
Born at Woolstone Farm, near St. Clears, Carmarthenshire...view moreJames Ira Thomas “Taffy” Jones DSO, MC, DFC & Bar, MM (18 April 1896 - 30 August 1960) was a British flying ace during the First World War.
Born at Woolstone Farm, near St. Clears, Carmarthenshire, he enlisted in the Territorial Army in 1913, but was soon transferred into the newly established Royal Flying Corps, serving as an air mechanic on ground duties (where he earned the Military Medal) before volunteering for flying duties as an Observer. Jones commenced pilot training in 1917 after being commissioned. He joined No. 74 Squadron after completing his training and became a flight commander in 1918. After the Armistice he became Commanding Officer of No. 74 Squadron until it was disbanded in 1919.
Throughout his service at No. 74 Squadron, Jones won several awards and decorations, including the Military Cross, the Distinguished Flying Cross and bar and the Distinguished Service Order. He recorded 37 victories in just 3 months whilst flying the Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 during WWI.
After retiring in 1936, Jones was recommissioned after the outbreak of WWII and flew briefly during the Battle of Britain. After retiring again at the end of WWII, he returned to St. Clears in Wales and a career in the Ministry of Pensions, a British government ministry responsible for the administration and delivery of welfare benefits. He authored three books on the R.F.C. and R.A.F.: King of Air Fighters, a biography of Edward Mannock; Tiger Squadron, a history of 74 Squadron; and An Air Fighter’s Scrapbook.
Jones died in Aberaeron, Wales, in 1960, aged 64.view less