Peter Jones was born in Southsea, Hampshire, on 16 October 1920, the son of Edward Victor Jones (an insurance manager) and Agnes Jones (née Harland). At the time of the 1921 Census, Peter was at home with his parents at 38, Shafmoor Lane, Hall Green, Birmingham and his elder sister Eileen and brother Kenneth Norman.

Peter joined the Royal Navy and was promoted to Acting Sub Lieutenant on 23 August 1942. In February 1943 he was serving in the Submarine Depot Ship HMS FORTH. Promotion to Lieutenant followed on 16 August 1943. On 20 September 1943 he was appointed to the Submarine Depot Ship HMS CYCLOPS ‘for Submarines’ and on 4 December 1943 he was appointed to HMS STATESMAN ‘as First Lieutenant’. This was followed by an appointment to HMS STUBBORN ‘as First Lieutenant’ in April 1944.

On 13 July 1945, STUBBORN left Fremantle for a 10th War Patrol with orders to operate South East of Java after stopping off at Onslow, Western Australia, to top up with fuel on 16/17 July. Several small ships were sunk on this patrol and, on 27 July at 1950 STUBBORN went alongside a junk in position 08°05’S 118°03’E. Peter Jones and L/Sea Kennedy boarded to investigate the cargo. Whilst manoeuvring to obtain a position to get out as soon as possible if needed, the junk broke adrift. It was not possible to close it again in the shallow water. L/Sea Kennedy was able to swim to STUBBORN but Peter Jones was not able to as the distance became too great. Peter Jones was told by megaphone that STUBBORN would wait for him to return. He was searched for during the night and following day but he was never seen again and he was listed ‘missing presumed killed‘. Peter Jones was the husband of Doris Caroline Jones (née Butcher) whom he had married in Gosport in the 3rd Quarter of 1943. He is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial on Panel 88 Column 3, and on the Fareham War Memorial.