Ystalyfera Fallen

This is the memorial page for Islwyn Jones, native of Ystalyfera, killed during the Second World War.

The information on Islwyn Jones comes principally from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, from the Labour Voice newspaper, and the Parish Burial Register (courtesy of the Swansea Archives). Thank you to Andy Ingham for additional information on the circumstances of his death.

From the South Wales Voice newspaper, 13th May 1944 :-

YSTALYFERA AIRMAN KILLED IN CANADA
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Jones, 43 Gurnos Road, Ystalyfera, have received the sad news that their son, Flight Sergeant Islwyn Jones, a flight engineer in the RAF, has been killed in a flying accident in Canada. He joined the RAF in 1939 and had been in Canada for 2 years.

He was a grandson of Mrs. Elizabeth Jones and of the late Mr. Ben Jones and of Mr. and Mrs. A. MacDonald 10, Burchell Row, Godre'rgraig. For some time the family lived in Birmingham where Mr. Daniel Jones and the deceased were employed. Islwyn was a pre-war airman with the RAF and posted to the RAF Transport Command in Canada two years ago. He had since been flight engineer on every type of multi engine bomber and flying boat delivered to squadrons overseas.

From the South Wales Voice newspaper, Thursday 27th April 1944 :-

REF: THE MONTREAL DAILY STAR
"Full Military Honours were paid to Flight Sergeant Islwyn Jones at a funeral service yesterday afternoon at the chapel of Jos. C. Wray & Bro, 1234, Mountain Street. He was a native of South Wales. Squadron Leader F. F. Crankshaw RAFTC conducted the service, which was attended by 20 officers and 30 other ranks of both RCAF and RAFTC.

Burial took place in the soldier's plot in Mount Royal Cemetery. An RCAF firing party fired 3 volleys while the band of no 3 Training Command RCAF led by W.O. Carl Friberg, played 'Nearer my God to Thee'

Among those present at the funeral was L.A.C. Dewi Thomas of Godre'rgraig"

Liberator VI EW148 of No 112 (Transport) Wing suffered structural failure due to severe weather and crashed into a tenement building in Montreal and burst into flames shortly after taking off from Dorval, Canada en-route to Bermuda. Five crew members and ten civilians were killed in the accident. The dead crew are listed as

Flt Lt Kazimierz BURZYNSKI (P.0015) PAF age 47
P/O Andrezej Czeslaw KUZNIACKI (P.2315) PAF age 30
Flt Lt Adolf Jan NOWICKI (P.0832) PAF age 30
P/O James Smith WILSON (J/39021) RCAF age 21
Flt Sgt Islwyn JONES (635095) RAF age 23

Thank You to Andy Ingham for this information.