Benjamin Jones was born at Whitchurch, Herefordshire on 9 February 1892, the only son of Amos and Sophia Jones. He had two sisters and his mother died when he was very young. Before joining the Royal Navy he worked as a mason's labourer.

He entered the Royal Navy at HMS GANGES on 27 July 1909 as a Boy Seaman 2nd Class, rising to 1st Class on 29 October of that year. He was rated Able Seaman on 22 February 1912 when serving in the battleship HMS QUEEN. He later served in the Mediterranean Fleet destroyer depot ship, HMS LEANDER, before entering submarines at HMS DOLPHIN on 10 August 1916. He was rated Leading Seaman on 17 January 1917.

He is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial and on the memorial wreath at Whitchurch and Ganarew Memorial Hall.