In May 1916, 21 days after his 19th birthday, his battalion was in the line at Broadmarsh Crater, near Vimy, France, and with his platoon he was holding a crater recently captured from the enemy. What happened next is best described in the words of the citation to his posthumous Victoria Cross: About 7.30pm the enemy exploded a mine 40 yards to his right and at the same time put a heavy barrage of fire on our trenches, thus isolating the Platoon. They then attacked in overwhelming numbers. Lt Jones kept his men together steadying them by his fine example and shot no less than 15 of the enemy as they advanced, counting them aloud as he did so to cheer his men. When his ammunition was expended he took a bomb but was shot through the head while getting up to throw it. His splendid courage had so encouraged his men that when they had no more ammunition or bombs they threw stones and ammunition boxes at the enemy till only nine of the platoon were left. Finally they were compelled to retire.