JENKINS Francis Gilbert (Frank)

Born in Monmouthshire, Wales, Hercules Thomas Jenkin was 22 years when he boarded the “Duke of Devonshire” at Plymouth, England on 20 May 1884 and arrived at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia on 17 July 1884. He married Queensland girl, Lydia Hucker in 1889 in Queensland and they had 2 children together. In 1899, Hercules and Lydia had a very public divorce, as they did in those days. Lydia married Christian Frederick William Christensen in 1907. Hercules was an inmate at the Dulwich Benevolent Asylum on North Stradbroke Island when he died in 1914. Lydia died in 1930 at Brisbane and was buried at the Toowong Cemetery.

Francis Gilbert (Frank) Jenkins was the second child of Hercules Thomas Jenkins and Lydia Hucker. He was a young man of 23 years when he enlisted for the Great War on 23 February 1916 at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. His occupation was a farmer at the time. He stood 5 feet 7 ½ inches (171.5cm) tall and weighed 140 pounds (63.5kg). Frank was described as having a fair complexion with blue eyes and red hair. He noted his religion as Methodist. Frank was a single man and listed his mother, who was living at Moggill, Queensland at the time, as his next of kin. Later, Lydia moved to Sandgate Road, Virginia, Brisbane.

The Chronicle 7 April 1916 reported that FG Jenkins and H Garrad were now in camp.
The Chronicle of 9 June 1916 reported that 2 more members of the IOR Hope of Maroochy tent, FJ Jenkins and A Kirby have enlisted.

On 16 August 1916, Private F. G. (Frank) Jenkins of 7 M.G.C. (Machine Gun Company) boarded the RMS “Orontes” at Melbourne, Victoria, Australia to serve his King and country. He disembarked Plymouth, England on 02 October 1916 and marched in to No. 3 Coy. M.G. Dep. (Company Machine Gun Depot) at Seymour the following day. Frank had taken on strength of 11 M.G.C. on 17 November and 6 days later, proceeded overseas to France. He was appointed T/Dvr. (Temporary Driver) in early December 1916 and reverted to Pte (Private) on 27 January 1917. The next day, he was again appointed T/Dvr. when Dvr. Elliott was sick and evacuated to hospital. Frank reverted to Pte on 20 February 1917 when Dvr. Elliott rejoined the unit.

Dvr. Hall was evacuated to hospital in early March and Frank was again appointed T/Dvr. 3 weeks later, Dvr. Hall returned to duty, and Frank reverted to Pte. On 29 September 1917, Frank was wounded in action when he suffered gunshot wounds to his shoulder and abdomen. He was admitted to 3 A.F.A. (Aust. Field Ambulance) and transferred the following day to 2 Can. C.C.S. (Canadian Casualty Clearing Station) in Belgium. Frank died of wounds on 04 October 1917.

A parcel arrived at Moggill, Queensland for Lydia. It contained a handkerchief, a holdall, a hair brush and 2 toothbrushes. 2 shaving brushes, a comb, a pair of spur chains and a letter. Cards, photos, a safety razor and blades in a case, 50 centimes notes, an autograph book, a French book, a text book and 2 diaries. A shell cap, a silk souvenir, a waterproof pouch, a housewife, 4 badges, numeral, metal rings and cloth numerals. An Australia Day button and 7 cartridges. Some months later, Lydia received another parcel. This one contained 2 discs, letters, photos, a wallet and 3 pocket knives. Cards, 2 stamps, a money belt and 5 coins.

Bessie May Jenkins was Frank’s other sibling. She married William George Sugars #2224 in 1920 at Brisbane. William was a member of 2 L.H.R. (Light Horse Regiment).

In the Chronicle of 30 September 1923, there was an article about a park on the corner of Park Road Nambour (now called Lions Park). It was set aside as a memorial to honour the sacrifice of men who had enlisted in Nambour. Their names were put on plaques which were fixed to the wooden fence. I don't know where plaques are now - it would be great to find at least one. Names were C. Dall, S.E. Woolf, F.J. Jenkins, T. Kotkamaa, W. Gage, Robert Aird, T.N. Myers, J. Vinnicombe. (info B Want, Nambour Museum)

The Chronicle 2 February 1918 IOR report mentions a memorial enlargement of Bro F Jenkins is on display and will be hung in the tent room.

• France
• Western Front

Nambour Methodist Church Roll of Honour Boards, Nambour Uniting Church, Coronation Avenue, Nambour (previously in the Nambour Methodist Church)(as EG Jenkins);

Maroochy Shire Honor Roll, Shire Chambers, Bury Street, Nambour (as FJ Jenkins);

Nambour (Maroochy Shire) Roll of Honor Scroll, Private Collection, Nambour (this scroll was available for sale to the public after the war)(on scroll twice as FG Jenkins and FJ Jenkins);

Pomona & District Memorial School of Arts Roll of Honour, Pomona Hall, Reserve Street, Pomona;

Shire of Noosa Roll of Honor, Shire Council Chambers, Pelican Street, Tewantin;

Nambour Trees, Nu-Lu Park, Cnr Park Road & Lamington Terrace, Nambour (from Nambour Chronicle 5th October 1923) as FJ Jenkins;

Shire of Moggill War Memorial now located at the Memorial Park, Moggill & Brookfield Roads, Kenmore

Panel 178, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra.