Lieutenant Colonel Herbert Jones

Lieutenant Colonel Herbert Jones was a senior officer in the British Army who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions during the Falklands War. He commanded the 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment during the Battle of Goose Green, where he was killed leading a critical assault on an Argentine Army position. His leadership and ultimate sacrifice became emblematic of the determination shown by British forces during the conflict, and his award remains one of the most discussed in the modern history of the Victoria Cross.

Early life and education

Born in Putney, London, he was the son of Lieutenant Colonel H. D. Jones, who had served with the Royal Artillery. He was educated at Eton College before attending the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, following a long family tradition of military service. His early life was shaped by the expectations of a career in the British Army, and he was commissioned into the Devon and Dorset Regiment in 1960 after completing his training at Sandhurst.

Military career

His early service with the Devon and Dorset Regiment included postings in England, Cyprus, and Germany. He later transferred to the Parachute Regiment, a move that aligned with his aggressive and energetic leadership style. He saw operational service in Northern Ireland during The Troubles, where he was mentioned in despatches. Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1981, he assumed command of the 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment, which was subsequently deployed to the South Atlantic following the Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands.

Falklands War and death

During the Falklands War, his battalion was tasked with capturing the strategic settlement of Goose Green on East Falkland. The Battle of Goose Green on 28 May 1982 proved to be a fiercely contested engagement against a larger, well-entrenched Argentine Army force. With the British advance stalling under heavy machine-gun fire from a key position, he personally led a charge up a gully in a direct attempt to silence the enemy post. This act of conspicuous gallantry resulted in his death but inspired his men to overcome the position, which proved pivotal to the eventual British victory in the battle. The action was later scrutinized but ultimately confirmed as worthy of the highest award for valour.

Awards and honours

For his valour at Goose Green, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, announced in the London Gazette on 8 October 1982. He had previously been appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1981 Birthday Honours for his service in Northern Ireland. His medals, including his Victoria Cross, are displayed at the Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces Museum in Duxford.

Legacy

His leadership and sacrifice are commemorated by a memorial at Goose Green and within the Parachute Regiment, where he is held as a legendary figure. The controversial nature of his final action has been the subject of analysis in numerous military histories, including the official British Ministry of Defence history of the Falklands War. His story was also depicted in the BBC film "An Ungentlemanly Act" and remains a focal point for discussions on leadership under fire. The H. Jones Building at St George's Barracks in Bicester is named in his honour.

Category:British Army personnel of the Falklands War Category:Recipients of the Victoria Cross Category:1940 births Category:1982 deaths