| Rank | Leading Steward |
| Service # | V43873 |
| Unit # | R.C.N.V.R. |
| Resident | 62 Fourth St., Chatham |
Born 1909, the husband of Delores Jones, they were living on 62 Forth St., Chatham, ON. when he enlisted in August of 1941. Prior to enlisting Fred was a stock-keeper at the Chatham Chrysler plant.
Mrs. Jones had quite a scare in December of 1942 when she received a cable from Naval Headquarters informing her that her husband was missing and presumed dead, killed in a fire.
The fire on the evening of 12 December was at the Knights of Columbus Hostel in St. John’s Newfoundland and the result was the death of ninety-nine civilians and military personnel, many US. military. There were a rash of fires in St. John’s over the winter of 1942-43 and there was a strong belief that they were a result of enemy sabotage.
Mrs; Jones’ anxiety was relived on the 16th of December when she received a letter from her husband that he was “in the best of health”. He had intended to go to the hostel that evening but at the last minute he called on to join a bowling team which was playing at another recreation centre to enter a competition. Fred wrote that, “I missed the fire by a mere fifteen minutes.”
The CDN 17/06/44 reported that L/S. Jones who had been on duty at the east coast was on a furlough to visit his wife at their 199 Queen St. home. He and his wife had a planned visits with friends in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. The CDN 28/06/44 reported that they had been visiting in Michigan including Detroit. L/S. Jones left to resume his duties in the RCNVR on the east coast.
He was reported to be returning to Liverpool, England after being on leave after spending New Years with his wife. Fred served in the Navy for four years and spent six months on convoy duty in the North Atlantic. He was discharged from the service 18/12/1945
He and Delores celebrated their 50th Anniversary in May of 1984 and Fred passed away in September of 1985. CDN 17/12/42,4/01/44, 26/05/84, 17/09/85, CFF-FD44.
In January of 1944 Leading O/S had been at home in Chatham after spending the New years with his wife living on Fourth St., Chatham. He was leaving for Liverpool. CDN 4/01/44
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