Robert William Jenkerson

An Engineman with H.M. Drifter Datum, Robert died on 26th of October 1916 at the age of 34. 

Robert was born at Lowestoft on 12 August 1882, a son of Robert and Ellen Jenkerson. He was baptised at Saint Margaret’s Church, Lowestoft, on 1 October 1882. In 1891 his family lived at 12 Stanford Street and this was still the family home in 1901 when Robert was a sailmaker’s apprentice. By 1911 his family were living at 27 Stanford Street and Robert was a stoker on a steam-ship. 

On 9 March 1912 Robert married Annie Louise Durrant at Saint Margaret’s Church, Lowestoft. Robert was an engine driver living at 27 Stanford Street, and Annie lived at 142 Saint Peter’s Street. By 1915 they were living at 77 Beccles Road. In 1919 Annie married Samuel Joy and lived at 105 Beccles Road.

Robert joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 11 January 1915 and from 16 January 1915 he served on the trawler Datum. 

On the night of 26-27 October 1916 the Datum, along with several other Lowestoft trawlers in the Dover Patrol, was attacked by German destroyers and sank with the loss of all hands.   

For details of the attack on the Dover Barrage see: The German attack on the 'Dover Barrage' 26th/27th October 1916 (sussexhistoryforum.co.uk)

Robert's nephew Albert served with the Royal Norfolk Regiment and died in 1940.