R A Jones

R. A. Jones

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Robert Arthur Jones was born in Liverpool in 1849, and described himself as a ‘Lancashire Welshman’. He worked for a clock and watchmakers in Manchester, before moving to the Southend area, where he established his well-known jewellery business at 76-78 High Street, Southend, in 1890, and employed as many as 40 staff.
The shop was well known in part because of the elaborate clock outside. Jones introduced the novelty of giving free gifts to those who purchased rings of more than 10 shillings (50p).
He ‘loved nothing better than handing out liquorice and humbugs to swarms of youngsters in the days when sweets really were a luxury’.

During his thirty-five years in the area, he’d taken advantage of all the opportunities presented to him, but used his subsequent fortune for the benefit of the town. Since opening his shop, he had given many smaller gifts – clocks, sports trophies, seating. It was for his outstanding generosity that he was made a Freeman of the Borough of Southend in 1919, and was awarded the M.B.E..

At Christmas, this generous man dressed up as Father Christmas to visit the Victoria Hospital, the Home of Waifs and Strays, and the Cripples’ Homes (including the John Kirk Cripple Home) locally, presenting toys and Christmas trees.
In 1905 he was President of the first Southend Carnival and Chairman of the Organising Committee, held in aid of the Victoria Hospital. He was also President of the local Swimming & Water Polo Association, Southend Swimming Club, Southend Chess Club, Southend Athletic Football Club, Southend United Football Club, and Vice-President of the Southend Rugby Football Club. By the time his wife had died, he became a Freeman of the Borough, and was living with one of his two sons, Cecil.

In 1913, the Jones Memorial Ground was given as playing fields, in memory of his wife, for the town's elementary school children.
In 1917, Prittlewell Priory and the surrounding 30 acres of parkland were given to the town for a museum and public park for perpetual public use. Due to the war, the park was not formally opened until 1920, when the official opening ceremony was carried out by the Duke of York (later King George VI).
After considerable restoration, the Priory was restored and opened as Southend's first dedicated on 15th May 1922. The opening ceremony was performed by Sir C. Hercules Reid (President of the Society of Antiquaries), in the company of the Mayor (Sir John Francis) and numerous other dignitaries.
In 1921, The Victory Sports Ground was given in memory of sportsmen from the Borough who had fought and died in the First World War. It has an impressive stone pillar and wrought iron entrance gateway.

Priory Park Opening

R. A. Jones passed away in 1925. The scenes at his funeral were unprecedented in the town’s history. Lessons were stopped in schools, the Bandstand was silent and every civic dignitary in Southend turned up to pay their respects at the packed St. John’s Church. Most shops were closed, and all flags flew at half mast. Coaches bussed children in from outlying areas to join the mourners.

In his service, the Rev. J.J. Whitehouse pointed out the empathy between R.A. Jones and the children of Southend, for whom he had been a generous benefactor. He was often referred to as the ‘Schoolchildren’s Friend’ and the cost of the east window at Prittlewell Refectory, incorporating his coat of arms, was borne in part by the children of Southend.
Robert Arthur Jones is appropriately buried in Priory Park, beneath a cross in the cloister Garth of the Priory. There is an additional memorial at St. John’s Church in Southend. His name remains on several monuments within the gardens of the Priory. His son, Edward Cecil Jones, who also served as a councillor and gave much of his own personal fortune to the town, was buried beside him when he died in 1967.