William Royle's Story.
Birkenhead News 08 January 1916Sunlight Engineer Killed.
DIED FACING THE ENEMY.
“No More Noble End.”
Mrs. M. Jenkinson, of 107, Brougham Street, Rock Ferry, has been officially notified of the death in action of her son, Private William Royle Jenkinson attached to the 13th (Wirral “Pals”) Cheshire Regiment. The sad news was conveyed to the mother in the following letters, one from Lieut-Colonel J.M. Reeves, the O.C. commanding the regiment, and the other from Captain J. H. E. Dean. Colonel Reeves says :- “It is my sad duty to inform you that your son, Private Wm. Royle Jenkinson, was killed in action during a successful attack on the German trenches on the morning of December 29th, 1915. The regiment extends to you its deep sympathy in your loss, and I hope that the fact of his laying down his life for his King and country, than which there can be no more noble end to any life, will help to console you in your hour of deep sorrow. He was a fine lad, and quite fearless. He suffered no pain at all, being killed instantaneously while bombing the German trenches. He fell facing the enemy.”
Captain Dean says :- “I am writing you to offer my deepest sympathy in the loss of your son. He was quite near me at the time he met his death, and had proved himself a very gallant soldier. All the officers and men of my company mourn the loss of such a brave comrade.”
Private Jenkinson, who was only 29 years of age, and unmarried, was an electrical engineer at Port Sunlight before joining the Army when the war broke out. His sister, Mrs. Griffiths, of 8, Apple Grove, Tranmere, lost her husband Benjamin Griffiths, of the R.F.A., about six weeks after the commencement of hostilities.