William Hart Edmond-Jenkins
Major William Hart Edmond-Jenkins – Northumberland Fusiliers, 25 (Tyneside Irish) Battalion
Early Life
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| William Hart Edmond-Jenkins |
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| 1891 Census |
According to the 1891 Census, the Jenkins family was living at Argaty, Sketty. William Henry, then aged 42, was working as a Ship’s Broker Agent, while his wife Kate, aged 41, kept house. Their three children were all attending school: Hart E. (10), Logan E. (8), and Helen R. E. (5). Also residing with the family were Louis P. Wyatt, employed as a governess, and two servants, Ruth Linson and Bessie Frances, the latter just 12 years old.
In 1897, William joined the Cyclist Company of the
3rd Glamorgan Volunteer Rifles as a Private. Later that
same year, he gained a commission as a Second Lieutenant.
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| 1901 Census |
By the time of the 1901 Census, the family had moved to Brynderwyn, Sketty. William Henry, now 52, was described as a Ship Broker and Colliery Agent working on his own account, while Kate was also listed as aged 52. Their son Hart, aged 20, was employed as a clerk in his father’s business; Logan, aged 18, was recorded as an apprentice metallurgist; and Helen, aged 14, was still at school. The household also employed two domestic servants, Mary Ann Edwards (20) and Catherine Edwards (16).
Military Career and Colonial Service
In 1902, William was selected to serve in South
Africa with the 1st Welsh Regiment. After his return, he
passed his military examinations and undertook a course in Civil Engineering.
In March 1906, he transferred to the 5th Royal
Irish Rifles and was seconded to the Colonial Office, serving as District
Superintendent of Police in Uganda. Returning to Britain in 1909, he
found that the 5th Royal Irish Rifles had been disbanded.
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| 1911 Census |
By the 1911 Census, the family was still residing at Brynderwyn, Sketty. William Henry, now 62, was still working as a Ship Broker, while Kate, also 62, was recorded under the family’s extended name of Edmond-Jenkins. Their children were listed with the same surname variation: Hart, aged 30, was a Lieutenant with the 5th Royal Rifles and assisted in his father’s business; Logan, aged 28, had become an Analytical Chemist; and Helen, aged 14, was still in education. The household was supported by three servants: Thomas Robinson (69), Annia Ada Fransson (25), and Mayeratte Thomas (19).
Following this census, William was transferred to the 6th
Royal Irish Rifles and promoted to Captain.
Emigration and the Great War
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| Attestation Papers |
At the outbreak of the First World War, he
immediately offered his services as a reserve officer to the Canadian
Government and was appointed Captain of the 7th Battalion,
Canadian Expeditionary Force. He arrived in Britain with the 1st
Contingent, training with the Canadians on Salisbury Plain.
On 4th February 1915, he was gazetted Major
of the Northumberland Fusiliers, 25 (Tyneside Irish) Battalion, and
proceeded to France in January 1916.
Death
On 1st July 1916, the opening day of the Battle
of the Somme, Major William Hart Edmond-Jenkins took part in the
attack on La Boisselle with the 25th (Tyneside Irish)
Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers.
The battalion formed part of the Tyneside Irish Brigade
of the 34th Division, which advanced in long lines across
open ground towards the heavily defended German positions. The preliminary
bombardment had failed to destroy many of the enemy’s machine-gun posts and
dugouts, and as the Tyneside Irish moved forward, they were met with
devastating fire.
The losses were catastrophic. The 34th Division
suffered the heaviest casualties of any division on 1st July,
and the Tyneside Irish Brigade alone sustained more than 3,000
casualties. Entire companies were cut down before reaching the German wire.
Amid this slaughter, Major Edmond-Jenkins was mortally
wounded while leading his men. He succumbed to his wounds shortly afterwards,
one of the many officers who fell that day.
Burial
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| William Hart Edmond-Jenkins Albert Communal Cemetery credit - findagrve |
William’s grave lies among those of fellow officers and men
who took part in the costly assaults around La Boisselle and the
surrounding sector. Today, the cemetery is carefully maintained by the Commonwealth
War Graves Commission and serves as a solemn reminder of the sacrifice of
those who gave their lives during one of the bloodiest battles of the war.
Legacy
Major William Hart Edmond-Jenkins is commemorated on
the St. Paul’s memorial, Swansea, alongside many other men of the parish
who gave their lives during the Great War. His life reflects a career of
service and dedication — from his early years in the Volunteer Rifles,
through his colonial police service in Uganda, to his final command with
the Tyneside Irish on the Somme.
His story illustrates the far-reaching ties of empire:
though he had emigrated to Canada, he returned at the outbreak of war to
serve once more. His courage and sacrifice on the First Day of the Somme
ensure that his name endures as part of both local and regimental memory.
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