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Search for family of late Marine

From the Penarth Times, first published Thursday 16th May 2002.

THE PENARTH family of a Royal Marine killed in action in 1950 is being sought for a special presentation.

Green Beret Peter Raymond Jones was just 18 when he was killed in North Korea in October 1950.

Now Plymouth resident Fred Hayhurst is searching for the family after finding out that the White Ensign used in Marine Jones's burial service has been discovered in Bridport, Dorset.

The Bridport Royal Navy Association, which is now custodian of the White Ensign, has agreed to present it to the Royal Marines.

Mr Hayhurst, who has written a book on the Green Berets in Korea, believes Marine Jones's mother and sister Iris both still live in Penarth and the surrounding area.

Marine Jones joined the Royal Marines in January 1949 and when the war in Korea started in 1950, he became a member of 41 Independent Commando.

It had been formed especially for service with the United States in Korea. Having flown out to Japan, he embarked in the United States Submarine Perch and took part in the Commando's clandestine operations in North Korea.

Sadly, he was killed while on a night raid attacking the Communists' coastal railway. His death was the first in the Commando - later it would suffer over 50 percent casualties in other operations in North Korea. At the end of the raid, his body was returned to the submarine and the following morning he was buried at sea with British and United States military honours.

* If you are a relative of Peter Jones and want to attend the presentation, write to Mr Hayhurst at 3 Caernarvon Gardens, Plymouth, PL2 2RY, or phone 01752 779589.

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