Todger: Thomas Jones VC, DCM, 1st Battalion, The Cheshire Regiment

by Neil Thornton

Even by Victoria Cross standards, the exploits of Thomas ‘Todger’ Jones V.C., D.C.M., of the 1st Battalion, The Cheshire Regiment, are truly extraordinary. It was a miracle that he survived the act for which he was awarded his V.C., but remarkably, after going ‘over the top’ by himself, he defeated the odds and secured what is believed to be the most prisoners ever captured by a single individual in the entire war. ‘Todger’, as he was affectionately known, served as a private soldier for the duration of the conflict, but in that time he displayed outstanding levels of gallantry and leadership, far in excess of his rank. A quiet man unassuming man in peacetime, Todger was a force to reckon with when in battle. This book chronicles his life with an added emphasis on his wartime service in the trenches of France and Flanders. Todger was born and bred in Runcorn, Cheshire. In 2014 his commemorative statue was unveiled opposite the town’s cenotaph. This book also features never seen before photographs of the statue being made.

Table of Contents

Foreword; Acknowledgements; Introduction; 1 Pre-War; 2 The World Goes to War; 3 Hill 60: ‘One of my Hottest Trials’; 4 A Bombing Attack; 5 The Somme; 6 ‘I Laughed like Blazes’; 7 Heartiest Congratulations; 8 The Closest of Friends; 9 ‘How the Dickens did you do it Jones’?; 10 The Engagements Continue; 11 Back to the Front; 12 Return to Blighty; 13 Post War; 14 Family and Personal Life; 15 A Character Assessment; 16 Remembrance; 17 In His Own Words; Appendix Hugh Colvin VC; Appendix Todger’s Siblings; Appendix Todger’s Funeral; Endnotes; Bibliography; Index.

192 pages, Hardcover

Published March 23, 2021