Walter Jones

Walter Jones was born into a wealthy Cheshire family, his father being the owner of Jones Brothers Cotton Mills, founded in 1818. Walter was educated at Harrow School where he was regarded as a fine all-round sportsman and in 1884 was admitted to Jesus College Cambridge where he obtained his BA. He joined the Cheshire Yeomanry-Cavalry in 1880 and obtained the rank of Second Lieutenant before leaving to work for the family business.

Having played polo at Harrow Jones formed his own team called Blakemere, named after his Cheshire home at Northwich. His time spent between Cheshire and London meant he had the opportunity to play polo with some of the country’s best players in London and the Home Counties and won the Champions Cup four times and Ranelagh Open Cup on three occasions all between 1897 and 1903. At the age of 42 in 1908, he was a member of the Hurlingham Club that competed at the London Olympics. Only three teams took part. Roehampton won the gold medal and Hurlingham and Ireland shared the silver. Jones had the distinction of scoring his team’s only goal of the Games.

Away from polo Jones enjoyed big game hunting and fishing and also had a passion for collecting fine art, notably first editions and watercolours.