Subject

Seaman Gunner on H.M.S. Ardent.

Andrew Behan has researched this man: Able Seaman Stanley Arthur Jenkins was born on 25 February 1895 in Hendon, the youngest son of the seven children of Edwin Henry Jenkins and Eliza Jenkins née Collins. His father was a laundryman and his mother was laundress, both working from home. He was baptised on 20 March 1895 at St Mary's Church, Hendon and the baptismal records show the family living at Stratford Road, Hendon. The 1901 census shows him living with his parents and four of his siblings at 6 Oakley Villas, Stratford Road, Hendon. The 1911 census informs that he was still living with his parents and four siblings but that they had moved to 9 Wildwood Grove, North End, Hampstead and his occupation was listed as Learning Electrical Engineering.

On 1 May 1912 he enlisted in the Royal Navy as a Boy Class II having given his occupation as Electrician's Mate. His service number was J/17305.(Po). On 15 August 1912 he was rated as a Boy Class I. On 25 February 1913, his eighteenth birthday, he signed up for twelve years service and was rated as an Ordinary Seaman and he served on several ships including H.M.S. Good Hope, H.M.S. Excellent and H.M.S. Vindictive and was rated as an Able Seaman on 10 February 1914. On 28 February 1914 he was transferred to H.M.S. Ardent and he was on board this ship, aged 21 years, when it took part in the Battle of Jutland and was sunk on 1 June 1916 by secondary fire from the German dreadnought SMS Westfalen. Seventy-eight men went down with the ship but there were only two survivors. As he has no known grave he is commemorated on Panel 13 of the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, Hampshire.

He was posthumously awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal.