Bernard Mouat JonesDSO (27 November 1882 – 11 September 1953)[1] was a British Chemist, notable for identifying the chemical in Mustard gas (dicholorodiethyl sulphide) and the first scientist to be Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leeds.
Early life and education
Jones was born in Streatham, London on 27 November 1882, the fourth son of Alexander Moat Jones, a wine merchant, and Martha Eleanor (née Brinjes). He attended Queen's College, Streatham and Dulwich College. In 1901 he went up to Balliol College, Oxford where, three years later, he gained a first-class honours degree in chemistry, mineralogy, and crystallography.
In 1914 Jones enlisted in the London Scottish regiment and was sent to France. Immediately after the first German gas attack in 1915 he was promoted to captain and became assistant director of the central laboratory, general headquarters, formed to organize defensive measures. He devised methods of protection from phosgene gas and of identifying quickly any new gas used by the enemy. He was the first to identify the chemical in mustard gas.
Jones, who never married, lived after his retirement at Waverley Abbey House, Farnham, where he died on 11 September 1953 at the age of 70. His funeral was held at Farnham parish church on 17 September.
References
^The ODNB records it as 11 September; the England & Wales, National Probate Calendar records it as the 12th