Ancestor Details

Name of Ancestor: Fred John Jenkins

Ancestor's date of birth: 01/04/1878

Ancestor's date of death: 01/05/1957

Cause of Death: Not stated

Service Number: 1671

Colony or State of enlistment: VIC, Place of Enlistment: Melbourne

Unit: 5^th Victorian Mounted Rifles

Rank attained in Boer War: PTE, Date Effective: 01/01/19

Highest Rank attained (if served after war): PTE, Date Effective: 01/01/19

Murray Page: 302

Contingent: Fifth Victorian

Ship: Orient, Argus or City of Lincoln, Date of Sailing: 15/02/1901

Memorial details: He is buried at Botany Bay Cemetery NSW

Awards/Decorations: Queen's South Africa Medal with 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, SA 1901 and SA 1902. 1914/15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.

Personal Characteristics: Originally a Miner from Middle Park Victoria. Height 166 cm, weight: 73 kg (1915), of dark complexion with blue eyes and black hair.

Reasons to go and fight: Detail not provided.

Details of service in war: March 1901 - March 1902 in east Transvaal and Natal frontier, including defeat at Wilmansrust where 18 killed and 42 wounded (12 June 1901), and successful intervention at Onverwacht (4 January 1902); heaviest casualties of any Australian contingent, at Wilmansrust suffered the costliest defeat. Private Jenkins was reported dangerously ill at Charlestown 23 February 1902 and 9 March 1902.

Service and life after the Boer War: Worked as a Shearer at Glenferrie, Victoria. Married Frederica. Joined the AIF as No 2954 John Jenkins, 8th Battalion, 9th Reinforcement 15 July 1915, served with the 59th Battalion in France. Appears not to have been promoted as he back-chatted a Warrant Officer. Moved to Sydney between the wars. Served with the 8 Training Battalion, again as a private No N73290 from 1 June 1940 until 5 February 1942.

Descendant Details

Name of Descendant: George Ormerod, Smithfield NSW
Relationship to Ancestor: Grandson

Name of Descendant: Greg Ormerod, Cranebrook NSW
Relationship to Ancestor: Great Grandson

Name of Descendant: Nicole Ormerod, Cranebrook NSW
Relationship to Ancestor: Great Great Granddaughter

Name of Descendant: Renae Ormerod, Cranebrook NSW
Relationship to Ancestor: Great Great Granddaughter

Name of Descendant: Glen Ormerod, Cranebrook NSW
Relationship to Ancestor: Great Great Grandson

Name of Descendant: Barry Ormerod, South West Rocks NSW
Relationship to Ancestor: Grandson

Name of Descendant: Sandra Weine, Queenscliff NSW
Relationship to Ancestor: Granddaughter

Return to Descendant Database