John Howell Jenkins was born in Bishopston in 1887, the third son of Thomas and Catherine Jenkins. By 1901, the family had moved to 1 Bowen Terrace, Morriston and this was the address given when he enlisted in 1907.

His service record lists his occupation in 1907 as a plumber.

In 1915, much was made of the contribution of his family to the war effort. 3 separate articles were published under the titles Patriotic Valley Family, Morriston Family's Proud Record and The Sister and Six Brothers All Serve The King. These can be seen in his image library (link above).

In late 1915, his address was given as Irvon Villa, Caemawr, Morriston.

Of the six brothers who served, sadly 3 lost their lives; John Howell, Francis Aubrey (also a member of the Brigade, killed in action in France on 5/11/18) and Sydney Oswald (Second Lieutenant in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers killed in France on 22/8/18).

John Howell Jenkins enlisted on the 1/6/07 and when the Territorial Force was formed, he transferred to the newly formed 1st Welsh Ammunition Column, signing his papers on 14/4/08 in Morriston.

His service record has survived and it shows that he was promoted quickly, reaching Corporal in 1910.

Along with his comrades, he was embodied on 5/8/1914 and travelled to France with the Brigade on 23/11/15 as part of the 53rd Division Ammunition Column. He did not however, travel to Egypt with the brigade, remaining in France. He was admitted to the 3rd General Hospital on 15/3/16 suffering from appendicitis and returned to England on the HS Stadt Antwerpen on 27/3/16.

He returned to France in 1917, leaving Southampton on 6th Jan, arriving in Le Havre the following day when he was also promoted to Sergeant.

On 19/1/17, he was posted to “D” Battery, 312th (West Riding) Brigade, part of the 57th Division. He was wounded on 14/4/17 and admitted to hospital the following day. He was discharged from hospital to the Base Depot on 22/4/17 and rejoined battery on 13/5/17.

Sergeant Howell was killed in action on 26/5/17. The local paper reported that he was ‘killed through an explosion in a gun pit’.

His service record gives the location of his grave site as ‘1 mile SW of Ecourt St Mein, 4.75 miles NNE of Bapaume, France’. His body was later exhumed and reinterred at The HAC British Cemetery, Ecourt St. Mein.

Sergeant Howell was awarded the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal, which were sent to his family. His family would also have received a bronze Memorial Plaque, also known as a Death Penny inscribed with his name.

He is remembered on the Morriston War Memorial.