Edgar Clement Jones

M, #167, b. 9 December 1929, d. 6 June 2011
FatherIvan Harold Jones b. 25 Mar 1899, d. 6 May 1978
MotherEllen Lamanda Cunningham b. 7 Jan 1896, d. 10 Mar 1975
RelationshipUncle of Keith Graham Bassett
Last Edited10 Apr 2015
Birth*9 December 1929 Condobolin, NSW, Australia1 
Photocirca 1937 Condobolin Show, Condobolin, NSW, Australia;
2
Jones children
Baptism31 August 1937 All Saints, Condobolin, NSW, Australia;
When Baptised: 31 August 1937
When Born: 9 December 1929
Child's Christian Name: Harold Joseph
Parent's Names: Ivan Harold & Ellen Lamanda Jones
Abode: Derriwong
Quality or Profession: Farmer

Note: All 5 children baptised the same day3 
Photo*1940 "The Gibba", Derriwong, NSW, Australia;
4
Clem aged 11
Photocirca 1947 Condobolin, NSW, Australia;
5
Clem Jones in footy gear
Death of Mother10 March 1975 Orange Base Hospital, Orange, NSW, Australia;
Name: Ellen Lamanda Jones
Date of Death: 10th March, 1975
Place of Death: Orange (Orange Base Hospital)
Usual residence: 39 Melrose St, Condobolin
Occupation:
Sex: Female
Age: 78 years
Conjugal Status: Married
Place of Birth: Condobolin N.S.W.
Time in Australia:

Father: William Cunningham
Occupation:
Mother: Unknown Scott

Place of Marriage: Condobolin N.S.W.
Age at Marriage: 24 years
Name of Spouse: Ivan Harold Jones
Children of Marriage: Harold 49, Edgar 45, Neville 44, Kitty 47, Una 42
Informant: I H Jones, widower, 39 Melrose St, Condobolin

Cause of Death: Carcinoma of Gall Bladder
Length of Illness:
Medical Attendant: A.J. Kirkwood, Medical Practitioner

Burial Date: 12th March 1975
Burial Place: Church of England Cemetery, Condobolin
Minister and Religion: A O Fox, Presbyterian
Witnesses:

Note: death details werre susbequently updated due to numerous inaccuracies.;Principal=Ellen Lamanda Cunningham6 
Death of Father6 May 1978 39 Melrose Street, Condobolin, NSW, Australia;
Name: Ivan Harold Jones
Date of Death: 6 May 1978
Place of Death: Condobolin (39 Melrose Street); Usual Residence 39 Melrose Street Condobolin NSW
Occupation: Farmer
Sex: Male
Age: 80
Conjugal Status: Widower
Place of Birth: Nhill Victoria
Time in Aust Colonies:

Father: Vaughan Jones
Occupation: Not stated
Mother: Unknown

Place of Marriage: Unknown
Age at Marriage: 27
Name of Spouse: Ellen Lamanda Cunningham
Children of Marriage: Harold 52, Kitty 50, Edgar 48, Neville 46, Una 45
Informant: N Jones, son, 50 Molong Street Condobolin

Cause of Death: Myocardial infarction, previous myocardial infarctiontis; cerebrovascular accident
Length of Illness:
Medical Attendant: J McKeon MacQueen
Date Last Seen:

Date of Burial: 8 May 1978
Place of Burial: Church of England Cemetery Condobolin
Minister & Religion:
Undertaker:
Witnesses:;Principal=Ivan Harold Jones7 
Death*6 June 2011 Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW, Australia8 
Eulogy14 June 2011 Condobolin Cemetery, Condobolin, NSW, Australia;
EULOGY
EDGAR CLEMENT JONES
Clem was born in Condobolin on the 9th December 1929 the third child of Ellen Lamanda (nee Cunningham) and Ivan Harold Jones. The family lived on the property “The Gibba” between Ootha and Derriwong. These were tough times for families, growing up in the depression and then the war years that followed. Everybody had to make do with whatever they could, the three boys (Harold, Clem and Neville) slept in a room that had a wall missing and gaps in the other walls. No doubt the cold winters toughened up the Jones boys. Clem, his brothers and sisters (Una and Kitty) rode their bikes 4 miles along the railway track to attend school at Derriwong. Clem latter boarded in Condobolin to attend High School but left soon after to start his first job delivering milk for his uncle Vic Jones. When the family moved to “Grassmere” in 1944 he went with them to help out on the farm, he also worked on other properties in the area. Then in 1947 the family made their final move to 39 Melrose Street. Clem was to spend the rest of his life at this address.
Clem’s next job was for the contractor that was laying the sewer in Condobolin and when it was finished the contractor wanted Clem to go with him as he could interpret the plans better than anyone. During this same period he also did his Citizens Military Forces (CMF) training and was the quickest in his unit to strip down and reassemble a gun. In 2007 he was awarded the Australian Defence medal. No doubt when it arrived he put it in the drawer and told no one, such was his nature.
As a young child Clem always wanted to be a grader driver, he started work with the council in 1950 and retired in 1993 after almost 43 years of service. His certificate of service stated Clem was very popular with his workmates and his supervisors because of his easy going nature, his sense of humour and his willingness to carry out his duties in an efficient manner.
Clem was involved in the community he was a member of the Lions club for many years and was awarded a 10 year perfect attendance award. He played rugby league in his youth and enjoyed watching the Condobolin Rams play. He was also a keen Parramatta supporter. In 1990 Clem was awarded a Life Membership of Condobolin Junior Rugby League for support of the club. His name still continues in the club as the player of the year receives the Clem Jones Shield.
I also remember him playing Santa Claus at Adams Maitland’s. He was also awarded the prestigious title of Life Member of the Didyabringagrogalong Condo Country Resort Ashton Villa. This was a social club formed by his mates, where they use to camp, play golf, fish and have a great time.
Clem’s interests in retirement were simple; he enjoyed fishing, growing vegetables, raising chooks and having a beer and a yarn with mates at either the Golf Club or the RSL, although I don’t imagine Clem did too much of the talking. He also enjoyed using his vintage truck to run the refreshments around the golf course at charity golf days.
Throughout his life Clem was a quiet, hardworking and generous man. A real gentleman, unfortunately some abused his generosity, thankfully though Clem did have some great mates who genuinely cared for him. Clem’s family would like to thank these friends for the care and friendship shown to him.
The Jones Family are very independent and private, they may not appear close but they all know that if they are in trouble or need help family will be there. Clem was invited to many family functions but rarely attended, too many questions and not enough beer, would be my guess. Although he led a solitary life Clem was surrounded by family when he passed away in Royal North Shore Hospital following his accident at home.
Clem was pre deceased by his sister Una McCarron, and his brother Harold better known as Snowy and is survived by his sister Kitty Bassett and brother Neville.
Rest in peace Clem.
(Read by Tony Jones, Clem’s Nephew)9 

Citations

  1. [S15] Family knowledge.
  2. [S1623] Rhonda Bassett photos.
  3. [S1644] Condobolin All Saints Church baptisms 1880-1939, baptism Edgar Clement Jones 1937.
  4. [S1624] Jones family photos.
  5. [S1625] Kitty Bassett photos.
  6. [S14] Death Certificate, 12895/1975 Ellen Lamanda Jones.
  7. [S1317] Death Certificate transcript.
  8. [S637] Personal Knowledge.
  9. [S1629] Clem Jones eulogy.