Stoke Climsland War Memorial: Ephraim Jenkins

Anyone looking at the names on the WW1 Memorial in Stoke Climsland can’t but help notice that there are four Jenkins’ listed. "Poor family", you might say and poor they were in more ways than one. Poor because, of the five sons of William James and Mary Anne Jenkins of Lower Downgate and Kelly Bray, four died during WW1. And poor because, in the 1901 census for Lower Downgate, the Jenkins’ were listed as ‘paupers’, living on parish benefit. As is often the case, it would seem that those with the least to give, gave the most in the conflict. Perhaps it was some small comfort to the family that both William and Mary died in 1907, well before the start of the war.

The first of their sons to die, Ephraim, was not, in fact, a casualty of the war and had not even seen service during the war. He had enlisted in the Royal Navy at Devonport on 27th August 1908 for a 12 year period but had been invalided out on 8th May 1913 due to Pulmonary Laryngeal Tuberculosis (one of the most serious and common complications of pulmonary tuberculosis and often fatal). After his discharge he returned to Kelly Bray and, presumably, stayed with his brothers and sister who had a house there. He did work as a labourer in the Gas Works at Callington but finally died of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Kelly Bray on 9th May 1915. His burial place is unknown at present. It is poignant to note that his brother Percy, who was killed in France later that year, was present at his death.

So what else have we been able to find out about Ephraim Jenkins? We know that he was born on 6th August 1890 and was baptised in Downgate Chapel on 26th March 1891. At this time, his father’s occupation was given as a miner. When Ephraim enlisted in the Royal Navy, he had given his own occupation as tin miner. Perhaps they had both worked at the nearby Redmoor, Windsor or Holmbush mines?

The only personal details we have of Ephraim are those found on his naval service record, where he is described as 5’ 7", with black hair, brown eyes, a fresh complexion and a scar on his lip. He went into the service as a Stoker 2nd Class and had gone up one step of the ladder to Stoker 1st Class when he was discharged. I cannot but help think that the hot, steamy conditions of a ship’s boiler room would not have been a very conducive place for someone with incipient tuberculosis. It is interesting to note that the major part of his naval service was aboard the cruiser HMS Aboukir which was subsequently torpedoed on 22nd September 1914, along with HMS Cressy and HMS Hogue. Three cruisers and 1459 men were lost in the space of an hour and a half. Perhaps if he had remained in service, he might have been one of these casualties?

Given that Ephraim was not an active serviceman or a casualty of the war, the question arises as to why he is commemorated on our War Memorial. There is no information which helps to answer this question but is it unreasonable to think that he is listed along with his brothers as a recognition of the sacrifice that one poor family made?