Ystalyfera Fallen

This is the memorial page for David Winston Jenkins, native of Ystalyfera, killed during the Second World War.

The information on David Winston Jenkins comes principally from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, from the Labour Voice newspaper, and the Parish Burial Register (courtesy of the Swansea Archives). Thank you to Andy Ingham for additional information on the circumstances of his death.

From the South Wales Voice newspaper, Saturday 5th Febriary 1944 :-

AIRMAN REPORTED MISSING
Deep sympathy was expressed when the news became known that Sergeant Observer David Winston Jenkins, youngest son of Mr. Richard Jenkins, milk vendor, and the late Mrs. Jenkins Swan Lane, Ystalyfera, had officially been reported missing from operations last week. Sergeant Jenkins's home is at Weavers Road, Ystradgynlais. He is 23 years of age, married and with two children, and has been in the RAF two and a half years.

We take this opportunity to offer our sympathy to the two families and to join with them in the earnest hope that good news will yet come to hand.

He was killed whilst flying as Air Bomber in Halifax V, LK709 KN-R of No 77 Sqn. Took off at 0007 from Elvington, Yorkshire on a mission to bomb Berlin. The aircraft failed to return (cause unknown). Sgt Jenkins and 3 other crew are buried in Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery, the remainder are listed on the Runnymede Memorial

Flt Sgt Arthur Binnie WALKER (1550318) age 21 RAFVR
Sgt Thomas Ernest EDWARDS (1861350) age unknown RAFVR
Flt Sgt Norman Thompson STEELE (1533388) age 21 RAFVR
Sgt David Winston JENKINS (1419911) age 23 RAFVR
Sgt Kenneth BRAY (1079279) age Unknown RAFVR
Sgt Leslie Raymond BRIGHT (1392836) age 23 RAFVR
P/O William Proffitt WHITE (160143) age Unknown RAFVR

Thank You to Andy Ingham for this information.

This information comes from the Llais newspaper, archived at Ystradgynlais Library.

David Winston Jenkins was one of four children of Richard and Rachel Jenkins, who were married in Pontardawe in 1914. His father, Richard, was born in 188-1887 and was a Milk Vendor based in Gurnos; he died in June 1966, aged 79. His mother was born Rachel Llewelyn, in 1886, daughter of Joseph Llewelyn (a coalminer) and Mary. Rachel died in June 1932 after an accident with the milk float when the horse bolted, causing it to crash, and her to sustain severe internal injuries, of which she passed away.

David Winston Jenkins was born in 1921, the fourth of four children. His elder brother was Joseph W Jenkins, born in 1919. Before that his two sisters had been born, Katie in 1914 and Dilys O Jenkins in 1917.

From the South Wales Voice newspaper, Sayturday 11th June 1932:-

RUN AWAY HORSE CAUSES DEATH
TRAGIC MISHAP AT YSTALYFERA
MILKVENDOR'S WIFE DIES OF INJURIES

A distressing accident took place at Ystalyfera on Friday, which, unfortunately, had fatal results. The victim was Mrs Rachel Jenkins, wife of Mr Richard Jenkins, milk vendor Swan Lane Ystalyfera.
Mrs Jenkins passed away at Swansea Hospital on Sunday morning from the effects of serious internal injuries. It appears that about noon on Friday Mrs Jenkins was driving a milk float along Church Road Godre'rgraig, when the horse's girth strap snapped causing the shafts to rise and the step to touch the ground. This frightened the animal which made a sudden bolt. A little boy named Stanley Morgan, who had been given a ride in the cart, jumped off.
Mrs Jenkins, however, stayed on in an attempt to stop the frightened horse, which failed to take the turn on the canal bridge and crashed into a shed in Glanyravon Road. Mrs Jenkins was thrown against a milk churn by the force of the impact and was in a state of collapse when some men came to her aid.
Dr South attended the injured woman, who was conveyed home in the ambulance car. On Saturday afternoon Mrs Jenkins was taken to hospital where she passed away.

BURIAL OF ACCIDENT VICTIM

The funeral of Mrs Rachel Jenkins, wife of Mr Richard Jenkins Swan Lane, who died from injuries received in an accident last week, as reported elsewhere in this issue took place on Wednesday. The burial was at Alltygrug Cemetery and the attendance was a very large one testifying to the esteem in which the deceased lady was held in the district.
The mourners were: Mr Richard Jenkins husband; Messrs Ted, Joe and David Jenkins sons; Mr Joseph Llewelyn father; Messrs Joseph, Tom and Ivor Llewelyn brothers; Messrs David Jenkins, Edwin Jenkins, Rees Evans, Tom Thomas, W D Edwards, Walter Scotford, R E Evans, D J Thomas, Councillor David Jenkins JP Clydach and B D Williams brothers-in-law; Messrs Harry Evans, Jack Evans, Ivor Evans, Islwyn Jenkins and Dick Jenkins nephews.
Wreaths were from: husband, Katie and Dennis; Joe and Davie; Ted and family; Catherine and family; Joseph and family; Winnie and Dinah; David and Lizzie and family; Rees, Sarah and family; Tom and Ann Hereford; Edwin, Maggie and family; Johnny, Bessie and family; Millie niece; Irma, Nyfed and Gaynor; Rees Jones and family; Mrs Skitt and Mrs Barker.

From the South Wales Voice newspaper, 18th June 1932:-

YSTALYFERA ROAD FATALITY
SCHOOLBOY'S STORY AT INQUEST

A verdict of accidental death was returned at the inquest on Mrs Rachel Jenkins, wife of Mr Richard Jenkins, milk vendor or of Swanfield Ystalyfera, who died from injuries received when the horse she was driving bolted. A report of the accident appeared in our last week's issue. Mrs Jenkin, who was 46 years old, died at Swansea Hospital the following Sunday morning.
The chief witness was Stanley Morgan aged 11 of 3 Cwmtawe Place Godre'rgraig, who said that whilst walking along Church Road he saw Mrs Jenkins driving a milk float. He asked her for a ride and got onto the float. At the turning into New Street, the horse started running faster and the girth strap on the harness broke. The shafts lifted and the horse bolted. He, witness, was frightened and jumped off but Mrs Jenkins remained on the cart. The float finally collided with a sink shed in Glanyravon Road, with such force that one shaft broke off and the other pierced the shed. Mrs Jenkins was thrown off.
Dr Evans, house surgeon at the Swansea Hospital, said Mrs Jenkins was admitted to hospital on Saturday 4th June and died from shock and internal injuries.

From the South Wales Voice newspaper, Saturday 17th November 1951:-

NOTES:
HOME AFTER HOLIDAY IN USA

Nurse Annie Thomas, Giedd Stores Cwmgiedd, returned home last Tuesday on the Queen Mary after spending a six months holiday in California.
Mrs Thomas has two married daughters, Mrs Arthur Smith at Lompoc California and Mrs Dale Wilson San Francisco, with whom she stayed during her visit.
While in America, besides meeting many relatives and friends, she met Mr Tom Barber at Sidon Pennsylvania, formerly of Station Road Ystradgynlais, Mr and Mrs William Hassett nee Sarah Evans, Gough Buildings, who live at Salix Pennsylvania and Mrs Katie Jenkins and her husband, who live at Ventura California. Mrs Jenkins is the daughter of Mr Richard Jenkins and the late Mrs Jenkins, milk vendor of Swan Field Ystalyfera.
Nurse Thomas speaks very enthusiastically of the people and the country and the grand welcome she received from everyone she visited.