The Jenkins Brothers – Royal Naval Reserve

Family Background

Alfred Jenkins

Alfred Jenkins

William and Elizabeth Jenkins of Mumbles endured the tragic loss of two sons, Alfred and Ernest, during the First World War. Alfred was born in 1892, followed by Ernest in 1894, both in Mumbles.

1901 Census

The 1901 Census records the Jenkins family living at Clifton Terrace, Mumbles, where William (45) worked as a Fisherman, and Elizabeth (41) managed the household. Their children present were Harry (17) and Ivor (15), both employed as Fishermen, along with Lily (13), John (11), Alfred (9), Ernest (7), Beatrice (5), Gwennie (3), and Alice M. (1).

1911 Census

By 1911, the family remained at 4 Clifton Terrace, Southend, Mumbles. William (55) continued dredging oysters as a Fisherman, while Eliza (51) stayed at home. Living with them were Alfred (20) and Ernest (18), both working as Fishermen, as well as Beatrice (16), who assisted with house duties, and the younger children Gwendoline (13), Alice (11), and Marjorie (9). Also recorded in the household was William (86), a widower, noted as “Old to Work.”

Able Seaman Alfred Jenkins – H.M. Paddle Minesweeper Queen of the North

Alfred Jenkins married Ethel Mary Gunter
marriage certificate
All Saints Church, Oystermouth

In April 1917, Alfred Jenkins married Ethel Mary Gunter at All Saints Church, Oystermouth, his occupation recorded as Seaman, Royal Naval Reserve.

British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage, and Death Records

H.M. Paddle Minesweeper Queen of the North

Alfred Jenkins
Noordwijk General Cemetery,
Netherlands
credit - findagrave

H.M. Paddle Minesweeper Queen of the North, a 594-ton former passenger vessel owned by the Blackpool Passenger Steamboat Co., had been requisitioned for wartime service as a minesweeper. On 20^th July 1917, while engaged in minesweeping operations, she struck a mine laid by the German submarine UC-4 (Erich Hecht) and sank north-east of the Shipwash Lightvessel, with the loss of 29 crew. Among those who died was Able Seaman Alfred Jenkins, R.N.R., whose body was later recovered and buried at Noordwijk General Cemetery, Netherlands. News of

South Wales Daily Post

Alfred’s death was reported in the South Wales Daily Post in August 1917.

Deck Hand Ernest Jenkins – H.M. Trawler Thuringia

Ernest married Maisie Hatch in 1916 and served as a Deck Hand in the Royal Naval Reserve.

British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage, and Death Records

H.M. Trawler Thuringia

Ernest Jenkins
Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon
credit - findagrave

H.M. Trawler Thuringia was a steam trawler taken over by the Admiralty for patrol and 

minesweeping support duties during the war. Vessels of this type operated in hazardous coastal waters, constantly threatened by mines and German submarines. On 11^th November 1917, Thuringia was sunk by the German submarine U-95, commanded by Athalwin Prinz, off Youghal, Ireland. A total of 14 crew members were lost, including Deck Hand Ernest Jenkins, R.N.R. As his body was never recovered, his name is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, which honours those with no known grave but the sea.

South Wales Daily Post

Ernest’s death, like that of his brother Alfred, was also reported in the local press, informing the Mumbles community of the second grievous loss suffered by the family.