Jim Jenkins enlisted AIF JUL 1940 and later joined 2/4th’s ‘C’ Coy.  At Fremantle 15 Feb 1942, he with at least 90 machine gunners who went AWOL from ‘Aquitania’ and were unable to reboard before she sailed the following day.

The men were sent a few weeks later to Singapore however were diverted to Java as Singapore was about to fall.  He joined ‘Blackforce’.  Java fell to Japanese 8 March 1942.

Please read about AWOL Fremantle

Jenkins as POW Java, was later selected to work Burma-Thai Railway in Burma with ‘A’ Force Burma Java Party No. 4 Williams Force.

Departed Tanjong Priok Port, Java 8 October 1942 on ‘Kimmon Maru’ for Singapore where they disembarked 12 October 1942.

At Changi Java Party No. 4 was reunited with Java Party No. 3 who had reached Singapore a few days earlier.

Two days later Java Parties 3 and 4 departed Singapore having boarded ‘Maebashi Maru ‘ to Rangoon, Burma arriving on 23 October 1942.  They were transhipped to a smaller vessel called ‘Yamagata Maru’ which took the men up the Salaween River in Burma to Moulmein.  They arrived late on 24 October and were accommodated overnight in the local gaol.

Please read about Java Party No. 4 Williams Force

Soldier apparently collapsed on parade ground at Thanbyuzayat.  Jenkins had obviously been unwell as he travelled up the Burma coast  on a crowded transport ship to Rangoon, Moulmein to Thanyuzayat.  He was standing at the Parade ground on 11.11.1942 and died the following day. The funeral service was conducted by Padre F. H. Bashford from  2/4th Casualty Clearing Station.

His death was caused by dysentery and heart failure.  He was 41 years old.

You can read about the men of 2/4th ‘C’ Coy No. 12 Platoon

 

 

 

 

Above:  Jenkin’s body was interred by the Australian War Graves and moved to  Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery, Myanmar (formerly Burma).

He was born  to Ann Jane Morgan Jenkins in Cardiganshire Wales.

Jim Jenkins was baptised on June 15th 1899 at St Peters Church, Elerch.  This area of Cardiganshire is very close to the university town of Aberystwyth.  He would undoubtedly have spoken Welsh as his primary language although probably fluent in English as well. The family were tenant farmers, paying rent to the local landowner. His uncle Richard James Jenkins was a farmer who employed a cattleman and a domestic (probably dairy) servant. The Jenkins family still have a strong presence in the local community today.

In the 1901 Census  Ann and her son James are residing in her brother’s home – Richard James Morgan, 31 years at Tir Y Mynach, Cardinganshire, Wales, occupation was gardener, who employed others.  In the same home are James’ Grandparents i.e. Mother and father to Ann and her brother Richard,  a worker and a female servant.

We believe on 15 Jan 1921 Jenkins arrived Fremantle on ‘Gorgon’ aged 24 years, he recorded his nationality as Welsh and possibly occupation as miner (difficult to decipher).

In Electoral Roll for 1925, Jenkins is recorded at Beuafort Arms Hotel, North Perth working as a yardman.

In 1928 and 1931 we can locate Jenkins residing 51 Newcastle Street, working as a cellarman.

After this date it is difficult to be certain where Jenkins was living.  Possibly he moved to Victoria for several years.

Jenkins recorded his NOK as Samuel Bluck.

(The only Samuel Bluck we have been able to find lived at Waroona and was hairdresser.)

This Samuel Richard Bluck, younger son of Mr & Mrs Harry Bluck of Yunderdup, married 1950 to Jackie, youngest daughter of Mr & Mrs Lionel Clifton of Harvey.   Jackie and Sam Bluck were said to live in Waroona.

In 1953 Sam Bluck died July 1953 at Murray District Hospital, Pinjarra, near to his parents’ home.  He left a young wife and children.  Condolences show he was a member of Waroona Lodge and Cricket Team.)

 

 

Above:  St Peter, Bont-goch/Elerch

Church where Jim Morgan was baptised.