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Wales (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Wales => Glamorganshire => Topic started by: trevalyn on Monday 24 November 25 21:31 GMT (UK)

Title: Jenkin Robert LEWIS WW1 1918
Post by: trevalyn on Monday 24 November 25 21:31 GMT (UK)
Another "Forgotten Soldier".  I previously posted this query about 4 years ago, with no success. Maybe second time lucky.
JENKIN ROBERT LEWIS died on 17 May 1918 after serving with the Welsh Regt. He contracted TB while in France and was invalided out in 1916.
Jenkin was the son of David and Catherine Lewis of 4 Portia Terrace, Swansea. David was a tailor and originally from Pendine. Jenkin, however, died at the home of his sister Elizabeth Jane Hasquencourt at 66 St Helen's Road, Swansea.
In the course of my initial search I contacted Swansea City Council but no trace was found in any of the municipal cemeteries.
Jenkin Robert Lewis is entitled to War Grave commemoration - if proof of burial can be established.
Does anyone have any idea where this man is buried > Any information would be very welcome.
Title: Re: JENKIN ROBERT LEWIS WW1 1918
Post by: *Sandra* on Tuesday 25 November 25 11:31 GMT (UK)

Sister Elizabeth Jane Hasquencourt is buried at Oystermouth Cemetery.  Aged 71 years.

FIND A GRAVE

Elizabeth Jane Hasquencort (spelling as per find a grave entry) 1882 - 15 January 1953

Oystermouth Cemetery
Oystermouth, Swansea, Wales
Plot 209.M

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/283238209/elizabeth-jane-hasquencort

Nothing in the death notice which you may already have seen.

South Wales Evening Post
Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales 
Sat, 18 May 1918
Page 3

https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-wales-evening-post/185631427/

Sandra
Title: Re: JENKIN ROBERT LEWIS WW1 1918
Post by: *Sandra* on Tuesday 25 November 25 12:44 GMT (UK)

No burial place listed for the brother Joshua Lewis passed 1940

Herald of Wales, etc.
Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales
Sat, 27 Jul 1940
Page 8

https://www.newspapers.com/article/herald-of-wales-etc/185632000/

Sandra
Title: Re: JENKIN ROBERT LEWIS WW1 1918
Post by: Drosybont on Tuesday 25 November 25 14:13 GMT (UK)
The notice in the South Wales Evening Post on Tuesday 23 July 1940 for his brother Joshua Lewis has the same wording as the Herald of Wales and then goes on to say "Funeral Wednesday 24th, 2.30, for Oystermouth.  Gentlemen only."

Drosybont
Title: Re: JENKIN ROBERT LEWIS WW1 1918
Post by: trevalyn on Tuesday 25 November 25 16:21 GMT (UK)
Very puzzling. Jenkin's father David, brother Joshua and sister Elizabeth (Hasquencort) are all in that grave - but no Jenkin.
Significantly, his mother Catherine is not there either. So it may well be that wherever she is buried, he is there too.
Title: Re: JENKIN ROBERT LEWIS WW1 1918
Post by: hanes teulu on Tuesday 25 November 25 17:37 GMT (UK)
Intrigued by the 1st entry on this snippet from the South Wales Daily Post, 21 May 1918 set against the last entry
Title: Re: JENKIN ROBERT LEWIS WW1 1918
Post by: Mabel Bagshawe on Tuesday 25 November 25 21:52 GMT (UK)
I'm wondering if that's some sort of typographical error. I can't find a Lewis Jenkin(s) death to match, nor does a similar death notice appear other papers that carry Jenkin Robert Lewis' annoucement
Title: Re: JENKIN ROBERT LEWIS WW1 1918
Post by: hanes teulu on Wednesday 26 November 25 10:34 GMT (UK)
I'm wondering if that's some sort of typographical error. I can't find a Lewis Jenkin(s) death to match, nor does a similar death notice appear other papers that carry Jenkin Robert Lewis' annoucement

The Cambria Leader, 21 May 1918 - note 1st entry and differences to that already posted.
Title: Re: JENKIN ROBERT LEWIS WW1 1918
Post by: jonwarrn on Wednesday 26 November 25 14:54 GMT (UK)
What was the Bit Badge League? :-\
Title: Re: JENKIN ROBERT LEWIS WW1 1918
Post by: hanes teulu on Wednesday 26 November 25 15:28 GMT (UK)
I had checked out "ww1 bit badge". The Swansea papers describe several funerals around that time involving bit badge members - but not one for JRB.

Read something about " ,,, their having done their bit ..." as the origin.
Title: Re: JENKIN ROBERT LEWIS WW1 1918
Post by: AlanBoyd on Wednesday 26 November 25 15:30 GMT (UK)
An obituary of a Swansea man in 1940 includes this paragraph:

Quote
He did much work on behalf of the Comrades of the Great War, and was the first secretary of the Swansea branch of the "Bit Badge League," which was followed by the National Federation of Discharged Sailors and Soldiers and eventually becoming the British Legion.

All newspaper hits for the term originate in South Wales. Looking at Wikipedia entries it seems that it might have been a local name for the Silver War Badge.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_War_Badge
Title: Re: JENKIN ROBERT LEWIS WW1 1918
Post by: jonwarrn on Wednesday 26 November 25 16:57 GMT (UK)
Hi
Thanks guys, very interesting and illuminating!
John
Title: Re: JENKIN ROBERT LEWIS WW1 1918
Post by: hanes teulu on Wednesday 26 November 25 18:40 GMT (UK)
Croeso/you're welcome and I endorse your sentiments - thoroughly enjoyed.

Added - this is not my source of "... doing their bit... " prompting the name but includes the holder wearing the badge.
https://newspapers.library.wales/view/4115348/4115356/159/edward%2BOR%2Bmorgan?from=search
Title: Re: Jenkin Robert LEWIS WW1 1918
Post by: jonwarrn on Wednesday 26 November 25 19:37 GMT (UK)
t " ,,, their having done their bit ..." as the origin.

Hi
Great find.
Yes, it all makes sense now to me now, as their name in Swansea for the SWB.
That article reminds us what many of those men had to go through to receive one.
Title: Re: Jenkin Robert LEWIS WW1 1918
Post by: hanes teulu on Friday 28 November 25 11:28 GMT (UK)
Trevalyn,
Is it simply coincidence that your current searches for the "missing" burials of Lewis (1918) and Stephens (1919) involve "bit Badge" and "military funeral"?