JENKINS, Joseph

Joseph Jenkins was born in Amblecote and was one of the family of eleven sons of John and Ann Jenkins who lived at 4 Vicarage Road, Wollaston. He was employed as an iron moulder and enlisted in April 1916 in the Worcestershire Regiment. He was posted to the 3rd Battalion in July 1916. This battalion was involved in the battle of the Somme from its start. On the 3rd July they were in the front line for the attack on the Leipzig salient below Thiepval and then in the successful attack on Ovillers on the 9th July. After the arrival of reinforcements, probably including Joseph Jenkins, they returned to the front line and on the 25th August seized Lemberg Trench. In very hot weather they then resisted shelling, bombing and counter-attack for two days and managed to hold the valuable territory they had gained. But the cost was high. 2/Lt Wilfred Perks from Stourbridge and 37 men had been killed, and this number included Private Joseph Jenkins. He was 36 years of age and is commemorated on the Thiepval, Stourbridge and Wollaston church Memorials. His brother, Frederick, was killed in action on the 19th July at Delville Wood.