Griffith was born in 1896. He appeared first in a census in 1901. He was living at Llwynbrindnau at Llansamlet in Glamorgan with his family. The head of the household was John Jenkins aged 36 and a tinplate heater who had been born and bred in Llansamlet. His wife was Elizabeth aged 31 who hailed from Bideford in Devon. Their children were Richard 10, Griffith 5, Ernest 4 and Oswald 1 all born in Llansamlet.
Ten years late finds the family living in Shotton. Like many others they had moved to Deeside where there was much work in the iron works owned by John Summers. They were living at 74 High Street Connah’s Quay. John Jenkins was 46 and a furnaceman. Elizabeth was 41. Their family of boys had grown. Ritchie was 20 and also a furnaceman. Griff was 15, Ernest 14, Oswald 10, Ronald 7 and Victor 3. There had been 6 children born to this family and the form tells us they had all survived.
UK Soldiers who Died in The Great War 1914-19 accessible on www.Ancestry .co.uk confirms the regimental details above and adds that he enlisted in Hawarden.
His medal card also accessible at ‘Ancestry’ tells us that his first theatre of war was Egypt which he entered on 8th August 1915. He was to die on the 20th August 1915, 12 days later.
There is an index card for Griffith in the Flintshire Roll of Honour at the County Record office in Hawarden. It gives the address 15 King Edward Street Shotton and confirms his regimental details. It says he served from 1914. Gallipoli and that he ‘died of wounds in action’ on 20th August 1915. It was signed by John Jenkins.
Griffith Jenkins in the UK, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 tells us that he died of wounds on the Hospital Ship “Nevasa*” and presumable buried at sea, the sole Legatee was his mother Elizabeth Ann who was paid £3. 15s 3d on the 3rd January 1916 and his War Gratuity of £3. 10s 0d on the 8th August 1919
*Please click on the links to find out about the Hospital Ship “Nevasa” –
- http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Ships/HMTroopshipNevasa.html
- http://www.clydeships.co.uk/view.php?ref=1636http://
- www.delcampe.net/page/item/id,315205201,var,BISNC-British-India-Steam-Navigation-Co-steamship-HMHS-Nevasa-hospital-ship-A-Ward-World-War-One,language,E.html
Griffith is mentioned in the book ” Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 – 1918 Royal Welsh Fusiliers Volume 28″ – Jenkins, Griffith. born Llansamlet. Glam. Enlisted Hawarden, Flintshire, Residence Connah’s Quay, Flintshire. Regt. No.:- 909 Dmr. Died of wounds at sea 21st August 1915.
Griffith is also remembered on the Hawarden War Memorial and the St. Ethelwold’s Church Screen.
In the newspaper “Flintshire Observer” dated 7th October 1915 (Page 7 Co. 6):-
Shotton Man Dies of Wounds – Private Griffith Jenkins, son of Mr. & Mrs Jenkins, King Edward Street, Shotton, was recently reported to have died of wounds while being conveyed to hospital. He was a member of the 1/5th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Private Jenkins was very popular in the Shotton district, and was a noted singer and elecutionist.
Griffith was also mentioned in an a letter sent to the Flintshire Observer 4th November 1915 (Page 7, Co. 1/4):-
Part one. Photograph is of Henry (Harry) Williams whose story is on Hawarden, please click on the link to read his story.
GALLANT STRETCHER BEARERS
CARRIED WOUNDED ALL DAY UNDER GALLING FIRE.
Interesting Letter from Ewloe Sergeant
Among the letters received by Mr. J.H. Adkins, headmaster of the Drew Memorial School, Hawarden, from old boys – more than 80 of whom are serving their country – is one from Sergt. R. Evans of Ewloe, which is of special interest to Hawarden people, as it gives an account of the fine work of his platoon composed mostly of Hawarden young men.
He writes: “ I have just got over dysentery and am expecting to got back to the firing-line any time. Our stretcher bearers – the band boys- T. Tuck, E. Wilcoxon, Harry Williams, Griff. Jenkins and T.Griffiths deserve to class as the bravest for the work they did in carrying the wounded under the most galling fire.
They carried them from daylight until dark at night, and had both rifle fire and shellfire to face. They not only carried our wounded but from every regiment, and I heard everybody passing remarks about what a brave lot they were. They took them right from the firing line over the open ground for a mile and then came back to and fro all day.
One of them carried two officers on his back out of the firing line, as there was no stretchers there at the time. He took one down out of range and came back for the other. I thought you would like to know something about your Hawarden scholars which is true and worth knowing. Everybody admired our stretcher bearers. They were the constant talk on the beach among the R.A.M.C.
I am sorry to say three of them are dead now. I saw two – Harry Williams and Jenkins Poor Tom Tuck died in hospital. Harry Williams was bending to pick up a wounded man when he got it in the head. Both belonged to my platoon. I wish to send my deepest sympathy to his mother and all the family, and also to Tom Tuck’s parents. Douglas Tuck was going on all right when I left him. He has since died.
I don’t know how it must feel to have a brother out here. I am afraid I should trouble more about him than myself. It must be very hard for anyone. All I have told you about the streatcher bearers is what every officer and man will say. The busiest day we had on the Peninuslar was August 10th, that’s when we lost the Colonel and the biggest part of our chaps. It won’t be a very happy return to Hawarden for whoever the lucky ones are, but there’s one thing that consoles us – we are fighting the winning fight.”
