Pte 34502 Abraham Jenkins

• Age: 30
• From: Burnley, Lancs
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• D.O.W Wednesday 11th April 1917
• Commemorated at: Warlincourt Halte Brit Cem
  Panel Ref: VII.D.10

Abraham Jenkins was born in1887 at  Burnley. He was the son of Charles and Mary (nee Tunney) Jenkins who had  married at St Peter’s Church, Burnley in 1879.

Prior to the war he worked as a weaver at Messrs Stansfield.

The 1891 Census shows the family living at 13 Peter St, Burnley. His father, Charlie, is aged 33, and is a labourer who was born in Stockport. His wife Mary is aged 28, and employed as a cotton factory hand was born in Burnley as were their two children, Mary J. aged 11 and William aged 6 both scholars.   

His mother, Mary, died, aged 37, in December 1899. 

The 1901 Census shows the family living with his sister Mary and her husband and children at 16 Peter Street, Burnley. The head of the household Alfred Whitaker is aged 20, born 1881 and is a general carter who was born in Burnley. His wife Mary is aged 21, and has no occupation listed. They have two sons George aged 1, born 1900 and Charles born 1901. They have their father-in-law Charles Jenkins, a widower aged 43, born 1858 and employed as a foundry labourer, and his two sons William aged 16 an apprentice mechanic and Abraham aged 14, a cotton weaver. 

His father, Charles, died, aged 47, in September 1905.

On the 1911 Census Abraham is aged 24, a cotton weaver, and is boarding with the Robinson family at 8 Hirst St, Burnley.

Abraham enlisted in Burnley and was serving with the 19th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 34502 when he died of wounds at 32 Casualty Clearing  Station on 11th April 1917, aged 30.  The wounds will have in all probability been received on 09th April 1917.

He now rests at Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery, France.

The site of the cemetery was chosen in May 1916. It was used from June 1916 to May 1917 by the 20th and 43rd Casualty Clearing Stations, in February 1917 by the 1/1st South Midland, and from April to June 1917 by the 32nd. The whole of plots VII, VIII, IX and X were filled in April and May 1917, the months of the Battles of Arras. From June 1917, the cemetery was practically unused until the fighting of May and June 1918, when field ambulances buried in it. After the Armistice the cemetery was increased by graves brought in from other smaller cemeteries.

The cemetery now contains 1,266 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. There are also 29 German and two French war graves.

The cemetery was designed by Charles Holden.

Soldier Effects to sister Mrs Mary Jane Whittaker and brother William. (No pension record found).

His sister Mary J. Whittaker was informed of his death which was also reported in the local press.

DIED OF WOUNDS

On Wednesday, Mrs Whitaker of 16 Peter Street, Burnley received a wire from the Preston depot stating that her brother Private Abraham Jenkins (34502) of the King's Liverpool Regiment, died of wounds on April 11th. His death took place at the 32nd Casualty Clearing Station. 30 years of age he was formerly a weaver at Messrs. Stansfield shed. He had been at the front since July last.

She placed a memorial notice in her brother's memory 

JENKINS - Died of wounds received in action on April 10th, Private Abraham Jenkins (34502), King's Liverpool Regiment, of 16 Peter Street, Burnley, aged 30.

His country called, he answered,

The call was not in vain;

On Britain's roll of honour, you will find the hero's name.

- From his sister, Mrs Whitaker, 16 Peter Street, Burnley.

 A Newspaper article on Pte John Robinson who died of pneumonia on 21st February 1919 mentions his friendship with Abraham:-

"Private Robinson's friend, Private Abraham Jenkins, died of wounds in France. The two soldiers had resided together in Halton Street for 9 years. They joined the King's Liverpool Regiment together and were given consecutive regimental numbers but after three months they were parted, when Private Robinson was transferred to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers."

John served as Private 34503 with the 3rd Battalion of the King's Liverpool Regiment prior to his transfer to the Royal Welch Fusiliers. 

Abraham is also commemorated on the Pickup Croft Sunday School (St Peters) Memorial and Greater Burnley Roll Of Honour 1914-1918.

We currently have no further information on Abraham Jenkins. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.