On this day, 22nd December 1915, Private Percy Jenkin was killed

 Percy Jenkin was the first of the three sons of James and Mary Jenkin/Jenkins who were killed in the war. He was born in 1893 in Lower Downgate and was baptised at his parents' house on 19th October 1893 as part of the Callington Methodist Circuit. The family moved to nearby Kelly Bray quite soon thereafter. By the time of the 1911 census, Percy was working as a live-in waggoner at Manaton Farm in South Hill, about two miles from Kelly Bray.


Entry in the 1911 Census for Manaton Farm, South Hill.

Percy’s military career began when he enlisted in the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry at Launceston on 5th December 1914. Initially he joined the 9th Battalion at Falmouth but had transferred to the 7th by the time he had landed in Boulogne on 27th October 1915. From there, his battalion moved to the front line around Armentieres where preparations for the Battle of the Somme were underway.

Within a matter of two months Percy was killed on 22nd December and a poignant newspaper report dated 15th January 1916 tells us: "It is understood that Private Jenkin had been in the trenches for nearly six weeks and had obtained leave to go on a journey of one mile to procure and despatch a Xmas greeting card for a little friend of his at Golberdon. The card, accompanied by a letter to the child’s parents, intimating that he was in good health, was dated on the day of his death. So it is assumed that on his return to the trenches he was killed. Private Jenkin will be greatly missed and his genial disposition won him high esteem and many friends".

The report of Percy Jenkin's death that appeared in the Cornwall and Devon Post of 15th January 1916.

An enlargement and enhancement of the photograph of Percy Jenkin from the above article.

Percy lies buried in Plot K7 at the Y Farm Military Cemetery at Bois-Grenier, a village just to the south of Armentieres.

Percy's headstone at the Military Cemetery.

 As well as being commemorated on both the memorials in Stoke Climsland, Percy is also remembered on the Golberdon Memorial. He had been connected with the Wesleyan Church there and its Sunday School. As the newspaper reported "his general disposition won him high esteem and many friends".

Golberdon War Memorial.

 Percy had left his effects to his brother and sole legatee, Alfred. He received the sum of £5 14s 10p (worth approximately £500 at today's rate) on 25th February 1916, comprised of £2 4s 10p cash and £3 10s War Gratuity. The War Gratuity was introduced in December 1918 as a payment to be made to those men who had served in WW1 for a period of 6 months or more home service or for any length of service if a man had served overseas. It was calculated based on the actual length of service.

Form recording the dispersal of Percy's effects.