Captain Hugh Jones became a qualified priest in 1935 and from 1936 to 1940 served as a Curate in the Liverpool area.  He was commissioned as a Chaplin to the Forces 4th Class on 19th September 1940 and after a period of training was appointed as the Padre of the 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters.  The Battalion remained in England until February 1943 when they went to Tunisia in North Africa taking part in the final attacks against the Germans.  In January 1944, they landed at Anzio, Italy witnessing the most savage fighting in appalling conditions where many of the men were killed and wounded. 

In May 1944, they broke out of the Beachhead fighting up the leg of Italy until they were relieved in January 1945.  Hugh then went on to Palestine and Syria with the battalion and was promoted to Temporary Major on 4th October 1945.  He had held the appointment of Senior Chaplain of HQ 21 Area Middle Eastern Forces since 31st July 1945.  On his return from Palestine, Hugh was discharged from the army on 4th May 1946.