ONE of Britain's dwindling survivors of the Great War has been presented with one of France's top awards.

Arthur Jones, who fought in France and Belgium, has been awarded the Legion D'Honneur.

The presentation was made to him at his retirement home in Shirley Park Road, Southampton, by the Queen's representative in Hampshire, Lord Lieutenant Mary Fagan.

She told 100-year-old Mr Jones that she was very conscious of the debt of gratitude her generation and her children owed to him and his comrades.

"I am so very pleased at being able to make this presentation,'' said Mrs Fagan, who added that the last person to whom she had given the medal was Lord Denning a month before his 100th birthday last year.

Five generations of Mr Jones's family were present as he accepted the accolade which is given in recognition of serving on French soil during the First World War.

Mr Jones, who was called up by the army in 1917, went over to France to join the 2nd London Regiment and was held in reserve at Etaples.

A company runner, he went over the top of the trenches on August 8, 1918, with the order to find C Company: "Tell them we are advancing slowly and suffering heavy losses. Please send reinforcements.''

But Mr Jones was blown up by a German shell on that errand and ended up in hospital near Amiens. The Royal British Legion came to hear of Mr Jones' history five months ago. They contacted the French government who in turn authorised the medal. Mr Jones is a Southampton man through and through. He was born in Richmond Street in 1898. Leaving school at 14, he joined the jewellery firm of Hollis. After the hostilities, he rejoined the firm where he became general manager.

He later worked as a checker in Southampton Docks.

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