As a lieutenant at the Battle of the Alma on 20 September 1854, whilst carrying the Queen's Colour he was severely wounded by gunshot through the lower jaw.

[2] Jones was promoted to captain in 1855 and was awarded the VC "for having distinguished himself, while serving with the party which stormed and took the Quarries, before Sebastopol, by repeatedly leading on his men to repel the continual assaults of the enemy during the night.

Although wounded early in the evening, Captain Jones remained unflinchingly at his post until after daylight the following morning."

This took place on 7 June 1855, during the Siege of Sebastopol, but Jones' Victoria Cross was not gazetted (formally announced) until September 1857.

[3] Jones resigned his commission three months prior to the notification of the award of his Victoria Cross, and entered the Diplomatic Service.