Jeremiah Hemens

Stag Special

Pte Kenneth Bryant Jones’ service forms part of the legacy of contributions which many Black Canadians have made to Canada through the military, even during times where they had to overcome great challenges just to enlist.

On Nov. 30, 1921 in Hamilton, Ont., Pte Jones was born to Charles and Milgar Lee (née Johnson) Jones. He experienced tragedy in his early life, as he lost both his parents when he was aged two, and was separated from his siblings.

He was adopted and raised by his uncle and aunt, George and Evelyn Louise Jones of Windsor, Ont., while his brother and two sisters were raised by another uncle and aunt.

At age 20, and during a time when Black Canadians struggled to even enlist in the military, Pte Jones demonstrated his bravery and commitment to Canada when he joined the Canadian Army in September of 1942.

He provided military service for three years during the Second World War, including contributing to campaigns in Italy, France and Germany.

Pte Jones was a member of the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps (RCASC). He and the RCASC played a key role in providing support to the troops, including the ground transportation and supply of food, equipment and ammunition.

However, Pte Jones’ service did not end there. As Canadians returned to the battlefield for the Korean War in 1950, Pte Jones re-enlisted and joined the Canadian Army Special Force, prepared to serve and sacrifice again.

The Korean War was fought from 1950 to 1953, where Pte Jones and more than 26,000 Canadians served on land, at sea and in the air to carry on Canada’s tradition of defending peace and freedom around the world.

During this bitter conflict in a rugged land far from home, 516 brave Canadians lost their lives — including Pte Jones. He was shot and killed instantly on Jan. 8, 1952 in South Korea. At age 30, he sacrificed his life for his country, and will be remembered for the courageous service he provided to Canada.

That service was honoured by no fewer than seven citations, including: 1939-1945 Star, Italy Star, France and Germany Star, War Medal 1939-1945, Canadian Korea Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal for Korea (with Clasp), and the United Nations Service Medal (Korea).

He lies buried in the United Nations Cemetery in Busan, South Korea, one of 376 Canadians buried there among 2,267 other members of the United Nations coalition who fought there to uphold of peace and freedom in South Korea.

Pte Jones is only one of the many Black Canadians to serve Canada, but his story truly represents the long history of service that Black Canadians in uniform have given to Canada.

This collage of images shows Pte Kenneth Bryant Jones’ portrait, his plaque on the Wall of Remembrance at the Meadowvale Cemetery in Brampton, Ont., and the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps Cenotaph in the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan, Korea, which reads: “1914-1918/Sacred to the memory of those men of the Corps who gave their lives in the cause of freedom/1939-1945/1950-53/United Nations.” Photos Canadian Virtual War Memorial/graphic design Shereen Ellaboudy, Army Public Affairs