Major
ALFRED CHARLES JENNER
Royal Engineers
(formerly 1859432 Quartermaster Sergeant Instructor, R.E.)

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Edward De Santis, MSCE, P.E., MInstRE
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
2017 (Revised 2022)

INTRODUCTION

This research was prompted by the author’s acquisition of the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (George VIR) of 1859432 Quartermaster Sergeant Instructor Alfred Charles Jenner, Royal Engineers who subsequently was commissioned from the ranks and rose to the rank of Major. The majority of the information contained in this research work was obtained from the following sources:

· Jenner Family Trees published on the Internet

· The service papers of Jenner’s father, Alfred Rolfe Jenner

· Publications of the Corps of Royal Engineers

· British Army Lists

· The London Gazette

· Census documents of England and Wales

· Royal Engineers Tracer Cards

Wherever other sources of information have been used, these sources are cited in the text.

It is interesting to note that while Alfred Charles Jenner served a long career as a Boy Soldier, a senior non-commissioned officer and officer in the Royal Engineers as well as an officer in the Territorial Army the only medals to which he is entitled is the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (GVIR) and the War Medal for service in World War 2. His total service spans from 1919 to 1961, approximately 42 years with the Colours in one capacity or another. While he served during the entire period of World War 2, his special skills as a lithographer and cartographer kept him in the United Kingdom working on special War Office and General Staff projects.

In addition to providing information regarding Major Jenner’s life and military career, much information also is included in this research regarding the service of his father Alfred Rolfe Jenner who also served in the Corps of Royal Engineers during the Great War of 1914-1918.

Section II of this work presents some information regarding the Heraldry of the Jenner name. It is included only as an item of interest and is not meant to imply that the family was directly linked to the lineage described below. Interestingly enough the name is derived from an old French word meaning “engineer.”

This surname of JENNER was derived from the Old French word 'engigneor' an occupational name 'the engineer'. In the middle ages the name referred to military machine makers and from the 12th century combined duty of architect and master mason. The small villages of Europe, or royal and noble households, even large religious dwellings and monasteries, gave rise to many family names, which reflected the occupation or profession of the original bearer of the name. Following the Crusades in Europe in the 11th 12th and 13th centuries a need was felt for an additional name. This was recognized by those of gentle birth, who realized that it added prestige and practical advantage to their status. At first the coat of arms was a practical matter which served a function on the battlefield and in tournaments. Early records of the name mention Waldinus Ingeniator, County Lincoln, 1273. Richard Legignur, 1191 Yorkshire. Hereditary surnames were originally imported from France into England during the Norman Conquest of 1066. In the two centuries or so after the Conquest surnames were acquired by most families of major landholders and many landed families of lesser importance. There appears to have been a constant trickle of migration into Britain between about the years 1200 and 150O, mostly from France and the Low Countries, with a small number of migrants from Scandinavia, Germany, Italy and the Iberian peninsular, and occasional individuals from further afield. During this period groups of aliens settled in this country as for example, the Germans who from the late 15th century onwards settled in Cumbria to work the metal mines. Immigration during this time had only a small effect on the body of surnames used in Britain. In many cases, the surnames of immigrants were thoroughly Anglicized. The late sixteenth century saw the arrival, mostly in London and the south-coast ports of large numbers of people fleeing from the war regions of France. Later instances of the name include Robert Pascall and Gresagon Jeyner who were married at St. Peter, Cornhill, London in the year 1598 and Samuel Jenner and Catherine Roberts were married at the same church in the year 1781.

I. JENNER FAMILY HISTORY

The following lineage of the Alfred Charles Jenner’s family is provided as background material to show who his ancestors were, where they lived and their occupations. It covers four generations of the Jenner family beginning in 1777 with the birth of his Great-Great Grandfather.

Great-Great Grandparents[i]

Alfred Charles Jenner’s paternal Great-Great Grandfather Isaac Jenner (1777-1806), a blacksmith, was born in Bethersden, Kent in 1777, the son of Samuel and Mary Jenner. He was baptized on 15 June 1777 in Bethersden.

His paternal Great-Great Grandmother, Sarah Kennard (1781-1833), was born in 1781, the daughter of Thomas Kennard, a gardener, of Cranbrook, Kent. Sarah was baptized in Cranbrook on 23 April 1781.

Isaac and Sarah were married in Cranbrook on 13 October 1798. Alfred died in Cranbrook on 4 June 1806. Sarah Jenner died in Ashford, Kent in 1833.

Great Grandparents[ii]

Alfred Charles Jenner’s paternal Great Grandfather, Charles Jenner (1800-1863), was born in Bethersden, Kent on 21 September 1800. His paternal Great Grandmother, Mary Rolfe (1805-1880) was born in Brabourne, Kent in 1805. Charles Jenner married Mary Rolfe in Ashford, Kent on 3 March 1830. He died in 1863.[iii] Mary Jenner died in 1880.

His maternal Great Grandfather, Robert Phipps (1807-?), was born in Middlesex in 1807 and his maternal Great Grandmother, Hannah Phipps (1811-?), was born in 1811.

Grandparents

Charles Jenner’s paternal Grandfather, another Charles Jenner (1840-1906), was born in Pluckley, Kent in the district of Ashford in 1840.[iv] His Grandmother, Hannah Frances Phipps (1834-1912) was born in London, Middlesex on 2 February 1834.[v] Charles Jenner and Hannah Frances Phipps were married in Wells, Kent on 6 April 1863.

In 1881 Charles and Hannah F. Jenner were living in Ashford, Kent with their 17-year old son Charles E. Jenner.[vi] The elder Charles was working as a coach smith for the South East Railway (S.E.Ry.). The following is the census return for the Jenner household in 1881:

1881 Census of England and Wales, Ashford, Kent (RG 11/947)

Name	Relationship and Occupation	Marital Status	Age	Sex	Birthplace
Charles Jenner	Head: Coach Smith S.E. Ry	M	40	M	Pluckley, Kent
Hannah F. Jenner	Wife	M	46	F	London, Middlesex
Charles E. Jenner	Son: Clerk S.E. Ry	U	17	M	Ashford, Kent
Isaac R. Jenner	Son: Booksellers Assistant	U	15	M	Ashford, Kent
Phipps E. Jenner	Son: Iron Driller	U	14	M	Ashford, Kent
Hannah M. Jenner	Daughter: Scholar	U	12	F	Ashford, Kent
Caroline F. Jenner	Daughter: Scholar	U	10	F	Ashford, Kent
Alfred R. Jenner	Son: Scholar	U	8	M	Ashford, Kent
Harriet M. Jenner	Daughter: Scholar	U	6	F	Ashford, Kent

In 1891 they were still living in Ashford at Beaver Road, 2 Gordon Terrace.[vii] The elder Charles was working as a railway carriage smith. Their son Charles E. Jenner, then 27-years old, was a railway accountant and their second son, Alfred Rolfe Jenner, then 18-years old, was an apprentice coach maker. Charles and Hannah also had a daughter, Maria H. Jenner, who was 16 years old in 1891. Maria worked as a domestic servant, specifically as a mother’s helper. Charles Jenner died in 1906. Hannah Francis Jenner died in 1912.

Parents

Alfred Charles Jenner’s father, Alfred Rolfe Jenner, enlisted in the Royal Engineers on 4 February 1893.[viii] He was recruited for service in Her Majesty’s forces by Company Sergeant Major J. Parrott of the Kent Artillery. Jenner swore the Oath of Attestation on this date with CSM Parrott as witness and on the same date his attestation was certified at Ashford, Kent by a Justice of the Peace.

The following is a description of Alfred Rolfe Jenner on his enlistment.[ix]

Age:	20 years
Height;	5 feet 8 inches
Weight:	147 pounds
Minimum Chest Measurement:	34 inches
Maximum Chest Measurement:	36 inches
Physical Development:	Good
Small Pox Marks:	Nil
Vaccination Marks:	Left arm, four (vaccinated in infancy)
Complexion:	Fresh
Eyes:	Grey
Hair:	Light brown
Religion:	Church of England
Trade:	Carpenter

A.R. Jenner’s occupation in civilian life had been as an apprentice coach maker in 1891. Apparently the work of a coach maker involved a sufficient amount of carpentry work so that upon his enlistment in the Royal Engineers in 1893 his trade was listed as carpenter. Men having skills as construction workers of any kind were always considered to be prime candidates for enlistment in the Royal Engineers. Their civilian skills were often given preference over other requirements that might have caused them to be ineligible to enlist. This was certainly true during war time and was especially true during the Great War of 1914-1918 when physical disabilities or other non-qualifying criteria were simply overlooked by recruiters.

On 6 February 1893 a Certificate of Medical Examination was issued for A.R. Jenner declaring him to be fit for service in the Army. This certificate was issued at Canterbury by a Captain in the Army Medical Service. On that same date a Certificate of Primary Military Examination was issued for him declaring him to be fit for service in the Royal Engineers. This certificate also was issued at Canterbury by the Recruiting Officer of the 3^rd Regimental District.[x]

Following this administrative work, A.R. Jenner was posted to the School of Military Engineering at Chatham (S.M.E.), Kent. He was issued Regimental Number 27340 and given the rank of Sapper. On 7 February 1893 while at the S.M.E. he was re-vaccinated three times in the left arm against small pox. Two of the vaccinations were noted to be “perfect” and one had “failed.”

Following a period of training at the S.M.E,[xi] Sapper Jenner was posted to Plymouth where his service papers show him to be serving in August of 1893. While serving at Plymouth he was treated for an ulcer of the anus, more appropriately described today as a hemorrhoid, or perhaps it was a solitary rectal ulcer.

On 8 March 1894 Jenner was awarded a 3^rd Class Certificate of Education.[xii]

His papers next show him to be serving at Cardiff, Wales on 11 November 1894. On 4 February 1895 he was awarded Good Conduct Pay at the rate of 1.d. per day.[xiii] On 4 October 1897 while serving in South Wales, Jenner extended his service to complete 12 years with the Colours. His request for extension was approved by the Commander Royal Engineers (C.R.E) in South Wales.[xiv]

On 29 October 1897 Sapper A.R. Jenner embarked for service in Jamaica aboard S.S. Spartan. He arrived in Newcastle, Jamaica on 23 November 1897 and was posted to a unit in Port Royal.[xv] On 30 August 1898 he was admitted to the Royal Naval Hospital with a stomach ailment. His ailment turned out to be nothing too serious as he was treated by being put on a mild diet. Soon afterwards, on 4 February 1899, he was awarded Good Conduct Pay at the rate of 2.d per day.

Sapper Jenner served at Newcastle, Jamaica until 31 January 1901 when he was posted home and arrived at Plymouth. He was posted to the 35^th Company, Royal Engineers at Pembroke Dock in Wales where he served until 1903. During his time with the 35^th Company he was appointed to the rank of Lance Corporal and he re-engaged to complete 21-years of service with the Colours. His re-engagement was approved by the Commander Royal Engineers in South Wales.[xvi]

On 10 December 1901 Jenner was admitted to hospital at Pembroke Dock with a sprained wrist. The British Army at this time was very particular when it came to soldiers losing duty time as a result of even minor injuries. Therefore, on 18 December 1901 a Court of Inquiry was held to investigate Jenner’s lost time due to his sprained wrist. The Court’s opinion was that the injury was accidental while he was not on duty and that the injury would not affect his future efficiency. This appears to have been much to do about a simple sprained wrist, but the Army did have its rules and regulation which had to be followed. He was discharged from hospital on 24 December 1901; however, when one considers that he spent 14 days in hospital, this so-called “sprain” may have been more serious that the name implies.

In 1902 Jenner was promoted to the rank of 2^nd Corporal and on 25 of November 1902 he married Norah Porteous at St. Mary’s Church in Tenby, Pembroke, Wales.[xvii] The wedding was officiated by the Reverend J.J. Davies and witnessed by J. Porteous and F.E. Porteous, both relative of the bride. On 10 February 1903 2^nd Corporal Jenner was placed on married roll and became eligible for all the benefits associated with his marriage being formally recognized and approved by his commanding officer.[xviii]

On 12 March 1903 2^nd Corporal A.R. Jenner and his wife left the 35^th Company, Royal Engineers and embarked for a new posting in India. On 27 April 1903 he was posted to Rangoon, Burma to what appears to have been a unit of the Indian Sappers and Miners. This assumption is based on the fact that on 1 October 1903 he elected to serve under the condition of service laid down in Indian Army Order No. 255 of 1902. The nature of these conditions is not known and is not described in his service papers. On 1 April 1904 Jenner received service pay, Class I, at the rate of 7.d per day.[xix]

Mrs. Jenner had accompanied her husband to Rangoon and on 8 October 1904 she gave birth to their daughter, Florence Esther Jenner. On 21 October 1905 2^nd Corporal Jenner earned his 2^nd Class Certificate of Education and a week later, on 28 October the Jenner’s second child, Alfred Charles Jenner (the main subject of this research) was born in Karachi, India.[xx] Alfred Charles was baptized in Karachi by Chaplain E.S. Thomas. It is of interest to note that on the baptism certificate Jenner is noted to be a Corporal in the Royal Engineers and his wife’s name is given as Lilian Nora Jenner and not just Norah as shown in Jenner’s service record.

On 12 of March 1907 2^nd Corporal Jenner’s service papers show that he was transferred from the Indian Army to the Imperial Establishment; that is, he was posted to a unit of the Royal Engineers from the Indian Sappers and Miners. This posting occurred while he and his wife were aboard ship en route to England. They arrived home from India on 13 March 1907 and Jenner was posted to the 6^th Company, Royal Engineers at Weymouth, Dorset. While serving with the 6^th Company, A.R. Jenner was promoted to the rank of Corporal. On 9 June 1909 the Jenners had a third child, a son, named William James Jenner, born in Weymouth.

Corporal and Mrs. Jenner departed Weymouth on 6 September 1910 and embarked for Malta where Jenner was assigned to the 28^th Company, Royal Engineers.[xxi] On 1 October 1911 Corporal Jenner was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal with a gratuity of 5 Pounds per year after having completed 18 years of service with the Colours. On 14 April 1912 the Jenners had a fourth child, a daughter, named Lilian Maud Jenner, born at Malta.

Corporal and Mrs. Jenner returned home to England from Malta on 5 January 1914 and he was posted to “G” Company of the Royal Engineers Depot Battalion at Chatham, Kent. Corporal Alfred Rolfe Jenner was discharged from the Army on 3 February 1914 on the termination of his 2^nd period of limited engagement just 6 months before the start of the Great War of 1914-1918. It appears that he was not recalled for the Great War and no Medal Index Card for him has been found.

II. THE LIFE AND MILITARY SERVICE OF ALFRED CHARLES JENNER

Enlistment

Alfred Charles Jenner, born on 28 October 1905, obviously was too young to serve in the Great War of 1914-1918. However, on 4 December 1919 he enlisted as a Boy Soldier in the Royal Engineers at the approximate age of 14 years and 2 months. His period of limited engagement was for 9 years with the Colours and 3 years with the Army Reserve. Upon his enlistment he was issued Army Number 1859432[xxii] and his Corps Trade was listed as Lithographer.[xxiii]

Service as a Boy Soldier and Bugler (1919-1923)

As a Boy Soldier he was posted to a number of stations before entering being appointed a Bugler. His first posting was to “A” Company of the Training Battalion 5 December 1919 and then to “F’ Company of the Training Battalion, both a Chatham, Kent. On 26 May 1921 he was attached to No. 3 (Home Counties) Field Company, part of the R.E. Defence Force at Shoreham, Kent. He returned to Chatham on 4 July 1921 and returned to “F” Company.

Service in the Ranks

Chatham (1923-1924)

Upon attaining the age of 18 years in October of 1923, Boy Soldier A.C. Jenner entered the ranks of the Royal Engineers as a Sapper. He was posted to “B” Company of the Training Battalion on 18 January 1924 and during 9 and 10 April 1924 he played the part of a bridegroom in musical play entitled “Ubique” or “Join the Royal Engineers and See the World at a function being held in the company.”[xxiv]

Shorncliffe (1924-1929)

Jenner’s first posting to a field unit occurred on 10 October 1924 when he was posted to the 9^th Field Company at Shorncliffe.[xxv] He was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal on the 29^th of January 1927[xxvi] while serving at Shorncliffe and on 22 November 1929 he was posted back to Chatham.

Chatham (1929-1941)

Upon arriving at Chatham he was posted to “C” Company of the Training Battalion, probably as an assistant instructor. He was transferred to “L” Depot Company on 12 February 1930 and was appointed an Acting Sergeant on the following day.[xxvii] On 25 February 1930[xxviii] he was promoted to the substantive rank of Corporal on and appointed a Temporary Sergeant on 13 March 1930.[xxix] He would remain with “L” Company of the Depot Battalion for almost 11 years. In all probability he became an instructor in topography and lithography and served in this capacity for all that time, never serving abroad.

On 26 July 1930 Temporary Sergeant Jenner married May Hooper at Medway, Kent. May was a young woman 21 years of age who worked as a shop assistant. The couple was married in the Wesleyan Methodist Church on Canterbury Street in Gillingham, Kent.

Jenner’s residence at the time of their marriage was listed as Kitchener Barracks, in Dock Road, Chatham, Kent. May Hooper was residing at 46 Mill Road in Gillingham at the time of their marriage. The groom’s father, Alfred Rolfe Jenner is shown on their marriage certificate as being deceased. The bride’s father was William Hooper, a draughtsman at His Majesty’s Dockyard in Chatham. The ceremony was officiated by the Reverend H.W. Goldsack of the Byron Road Wesleyan Church.[xxx]

Jenner re-engaged to complete 21 years of service with the Colours in February of 1931. He had reverted to his permanent rank of Corporal when this action was taken.[xxxi]

The Jenners’ first child, Derek Charles Jenner (1932-2009) was born in Medway in February of 1932 and Corporal Jenner was promoted to the rank of Lance Sergeant on 14 July 1933.[xxxii] During this period “L” Company of the Depot Battalion was under the command of Captain R. le H. Guiton. R.E. The commander of the Depot Battalion was Lieutenant Colonel E.N. Evelegh, DSO, MC, R.E.[xxxiii]

On 1 August 1935 Jenner was appointed to the rank of Acting Sergeant under Captain Guiton[xxxiv] and on 28 December 1935 he was promoted to the substantive rank of Sergeant.[xxxv] Jenner subsequently was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant[xxxvi] and then was appointed a Temporary Quartermaster Sergeant Instructor (QMSI) on 2 March 1936.[xxxvii]

The Jenners second child, Raymond E. Jenner, was born in Medway in September of 1937 and in December of that year Sergeant Jenner completed 18 years of service and was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (GVIR) with bar [REGULAR ARMY].[xxxviii]

In February of 1940 he assumed the duties of Editor of The Sapper magazine.[xxxix] He completed 21 years of service in the ranks in December 1940 and on 22 May 1941 he was discharged from the ranks to take a commission in the Royal Engineers. At this same time he terminated his duties as the editor of The Sapper.[xl] At the time of his discharge he was serving with 6^th (Field Survey) Company, R.E.[xli]

Commissioned Service

Alfred Charles Jenner was commissioned a 2^nd Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers on the 23^rd of May 1941.[xlii] His was a Royal Engineers Regular Army Emergency Commission on the General List and he was issued Army Number 188417. In the Station News section of The Sapper of July 1941 (page 205) there was an announcement published from the War Office bidding farewell to QMSI A.C. Jenner as editor of the magazine.

Following his commissioning he was posted to command Geographical Section units of the General Staff in Scotland and Northern Ireland and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in about 1943. His duties involved surveying and map mapping for regions of the world where the British and Allied forces would be engaged in conflicts with the Axis forces. He appears to have performed these duties for the duration of World War 2 and did not see any active service abroad during the war. Although he had not seen active service during the war he was entitled to the War Medal as this medal was awarded to all full-time personnel of the Armed Forces wherever their service during the war was rendered. Operational and non-operational service counted, providing that it was of twenty-eight days' or more duration.

It is believed that Mrs. Jenner had been commissioned in Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve early in the war (Army Number 250130) and that she relinquished her commission on 23 October 1944.[xliii] (NOTE: This information was obtained from The London Gazette and the author has assumed that the Mrs. A.C. Jenner mentioned in that publication was the wife of Major Jenner. However, Major Jenner’s daughter-in-law has indicated to the author that she “cannot recall Mother-in-Law being a Nurse.”).[xliv] The initials and surname of the nurse who served in QAIMNSR may purely be a coincidence with those of Major Jenner’s wife.

On 12 November 1945 Jenner wrote a letter to the editor of The Sapper, which is reproduced below. The letter deals with the collection of money for the Royal Engineers Memorial Fund.

“Hygrade”

(Off) Boston Road

Hanwell,[xlv]

London, W.7

12^th November, 1945

The Editor, “The Sapper”

Dear Editor

I am in absolute agreement with “J.J.” that there are thousands of ex-R.E. will to subscribe to a lasting memorial for the R.E., but the difficulty seems to be to find something truly lasting in this topsy-turvy world.

You may be interested to know that his unit is collecting money in weekly installments for the R.E. War Memorial but the response is as yet rather feeble because the proposals put forward are not liked, on the grounds of their expense and their limited benefit to R.E. personnel. It is also felt that such medical facilities are likely to be forthcoming shortly within the framework of a State medical service.[xlvi]

The R.E. Corps Center is certainly an improvement on these proposals, but even this will be extremely local in its functions and will only benefit those in the Aldershot and Chatham areas.

As a result of a full discussion, it was unanimously agreed in this unit that the R.E. War Memorial we should like to see should take the form of traveling scholarships for sons and daughters of R.E. personnel, on similar lines to the Rhodes scholarships.

It was felt that the peace of the world depends so much on better international understanding that the most fitting and lasting memorial of the sacrifices made by all ranks of the Corps of Royal Engineers should be an instrument by which a small but steady stream of young people should benefit by international travel and study abroad.

In considering the form a War Memorial should take, it is important that we should try and study not so much or own wishes as the wishes of those who have fallen. Thus we felt that our memorial should be an activating force for the promotion of peace rather than a local centre whose lasting qualities would be nil if war should come again in this atomic age.

Yours sincerely,

A.C. JENNER, Capt., R.E.

It is obvious from his signature block at the end of the letter that Jenner had been promoted to the rank of Captain (probable a temporary promotion) prior to the end of the war.

Captain Jenner’s activities between late 1945 and the end of 1951 have not been uncovered. He is not listed in the Official Army Lists during this period, so it appears that he may have taken up an occupation in civilian life, although it appears that he remained active in the Territorial Army (T.A.). On 22 November 1951 The London Gazette indicates that he was promoted to the rank of Captain in the Territorial Army. He is shown in the Army List for this period as being seconded to the University Training Corps (U.T.C.) with the rank of Captain (T.A.).[xlvii] His specific assignment was to a sub-unit of the U.T.C.; that is, the London Officer Training Corps, R.E., a unit that had recently been reformed and reorganized as part of the Territorial Army. Jenner was instrumental in reforming this sub-unit. In addition to Captain Jenner, the unit consisted of Captain D.A. Pantony (T.A.) and Warrant Officer Class I G.P. English, R.E. Warrant Officer English was a Regular Army non-commissioned officer of the Royal Engineers who was assigned to the cadre of the London O.T.C. sub-unit to lend his expertise for the pre-service training of young university student who might be liable for National Service.[xlviii]

In 1952 Captain Jenner was working at the O.T.C. training facilities at South Kensington. He went with the cadets to an annual training camp at Bulford[xlix] and they visited the School of Military Survey at Hermitage near Newbury, Berkshire.[l] In 1953, while still at South Kensington, Jenner again took the cadets to the annual camp at Bulford and they visited 32 Armoured Assault Regiment at Perham Down.[li] In 1954 the cadets received similar training only this year they visited the Water Transportation Center at Marchwood[lii] and in addition the sub-unit won the Rugby seven-a-sides competition in the London O.T.C. The University of London O.T.C. sub-unit won the Individual Best Shot and Guard Mounting Competitions in 1955. During this year WOI English was replaced by Sergeant G.F.M. Monk, R.E.[liii]

Captain Jenner was promoted to the rank of Temporary Major in the Territorial Army on the 15^th of September 1957.[liv] In that same year he drew the maps for The History of the Corps of Royal Engineers, Volumes VIII and IX, 1939-1948, volumes that were written by Major General R.P. Pakenham-Walsh, CB, MC. The General mentions Jenner by name on page viii of the Preface of each volume. Jenner’s skill in drawing maps undoubtedly came from his service with the Geographical Section units that he commanded during the war.

On 1 September 1958 Jenner was promoted to the substantive rank of Major and appointed as Second-in-Command of the University of London Officer Training Corps. He remained in this assignment until 29 August 1961 when, having exceeded the age limit for further service, he was retired retaining the rank of Major.[lv]

III. POST SERVICE LIFE

Following his retirement he became a teacher or performed duties at an academic establishment. His academic duties probably were related to cartography based on his work with the Geographical Sections of the War Office and his map drawing skills. Unfortunately the institution at which he initially worked is unknown, but it may have been the University of London, the Ordnance Survey or the Royal School of Military Engineering.

In 1965 Major Jenner’s address is listed in The Sapper magazine as 72 Cleave Road in Gillingham, Kent. The proximity of Gillingham to Chatham where the Royal School of Military Engineering is located might lead one to believe that the RSME was where he worked when he left his duties with the London OTC. At any rate he retired from the academic position on 31 October 1965. Following this retirement he and his wife went on a trip to Australian to visit one of their sons. Prior to departing on this trip Jenner wrote the following letter to the editor of The Sapper:

12^thOctober, 1965

A Former Editor Comments

Dear Mr. Pullen – Thank you for your letter and copy of the September SAPPER.

Much water has flowed under the proverbial bridge since you took over the editorship from me in the very difficult days of 1941 when material was scarce and a rigid censorship was in force.

I would think that 25 years as Editor must constitute something of a record. Probably during that time you have not had too many compliments for doing the job – but I assure you a great amount of interest regarding the Corps is conveyed to ex-Sappers through your efforts and it is very much appreciated.

I have noticed that the cover of the Journal has changed several times since I was Editor. I think, however, that the present layout is about the best so far, I particularly like the idea of putting a picture of a well-known ex-Sapper on the cover as you did in the September issue, but I doubt if you will find a better known one than Joe Ferigan.[lvi] There are, however, many more “Old Boys” who have given long and devoted service.

I am retiring at the end of this month from my academic duties and am taking my wife to visit our son in Australia, a trip to which we are eagerly looking forward.

My best wishes to you and your work, perhaps you would convey my greetings to all contemporary members through the medium of the Corps Journal.

Yours sincerely, A.C. Jenner, Major (Retd.)

72 Cleave Road

Gillingham, Kent

The pleasure of your Editor at receiving a letter from a former Editor can well be imagined by my readers – EDITOR.

It is believed that Jenner was living at “The Orchards,” Beighton, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk in 1976 when his occupation was noted to be “a grower of trees.”[lvii] However, the author’s assumption in this regard may be in error. (See Endnote 48 regarding the validity of this assumed location for Major Jenner at the time in question).

Alfred Charles Jenner died on 19 May 1985, nine days short of his 80^th birthday. His death notice in the Supplement to the Royal Engineers Journal of October 1985 lists his rank as a Captain, R.E. This entry may be in error as he retired with the rank of Major in the Territorial Army, although he did leave the Royal Engineers as a Captain. His occupation is shown as a University Lecturer (retired) and his address as 2 Linden Avenue, Tuxford, Newark, Nottinghamshire. Nottingham University is located near Tuxford, and this may have been his place of employment in his later years. The R.E. Journal listing shows no postnominals for him so apparently he was never honored with any orders. No will or obituaries could be located for him.[lviii]

Major Jenner’s death was registered on 21 May 1985. He died at Bassetlaw District General Hospital in Worksop, Nottinghamshire.[lix] His death was registered at Worksop by B. Colbrook the Deputy Registrar. The cause of death was a ruptured arteriosclerotic aneurysm of the aorta. The informant of his death was he son, Derek Charles Jenner of Wytheburn, Church Street, East Markham, Newark. His death was certified by P. Jenkins-Jones the Deputy Coroner for Nottinghamshire after a post mortem without an inquest.[lx]

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ADDENDUM NO. 1

Royal Engineers Tracer Cards

The information contained in this Addendum has been taken from the Royal Engineers Tracer Cards. The data contained in these tracer cards verifies and adds to data that is contained in the narrative of this research work. The information contained in this Addendum should be compared with the information presented in the various sections of the narrative. Notes in italics by author.

Card No. 1

1859432 Jenner, A.C., R.E.

Enlistment 4-12-19 (Date of enlistment, 4 December 1919)

Period of Engagement 9 + 3 (9 years with the Colours and 3 years in the Army Reserve)

Corps Trade Lithographer

Discharge 22/5/41 (Discharged under King’s Regulations 390 (xvii) 1940 to take a commission on 22 May 1941)

Posted to “L” Company, Depot Battalion on 27.5.40.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Card No. 2

Boy 5 December 1919

Bugler 13 July 1922

Sapper 28 October 1923

Lance Corporal 29 January 1927

Corporal 25 February 1930

Acting Sergeant 13 February 1930 (Assistant Instructor: Survey)

Lance Sergeant 14 July 1933

Acting Sergeant 1 August 1935

Sergeant 28 December 1935

Temporary W.O.II 2 March 1936 (Temporary Quartermaster Sergeant Instructor)

Unit (Description and Date)

Note: Dates on the card were entered in decimal form. For this Addendum they have been changed to day/month/year form by the author. Note in italics by author.

“A” Company, Training Battalion 5 December 1919 (at Chatham)

“F” Company, Training Battalion 11 February 1921 (at Chatham)

Attached No. 3 (Home Counties) Field Company 26 May 1921 (at Shoreham)

R.E. Defence Force Shoreham

“F” Company, Training Battalion 4 July 1921 (at Chatham)

“B” Company, Depot Battalion 18 January 1924 (at Chatham)

9^th (Field) Company 10 October 1924) (at Shorncliffe)

“C” Company, Training Battalion 22 November 1929 (at Chatham)

“L” Depot Company 12 February 1930 (at Chatham)

School of Military Engineering (T.T. Wing) 4 November 1940 (at Chatham)

6^th (Field Survey) Company 20 May 1941 (at Chatham)

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REFERENCES:

Army Lists

1. The Army List, 1953, pp. 638 & 2473.

2. The Army List, August 1956, pp. 637 & 2467.

3. The Army List, September 1959, pp. 677 & 2467.

4. The Army List, 1963.

Books

1. FARWELL, B. Mr. Kipling’s Army: All the Queen’s Men. W.W. Norton & Company, New York, 1981, p.228.

2. GORDON, Major L.L. British Battles and Medals, Spink & Son Ltd., London, Fourth Edition, 1971, p. 351.

3. GRIERSON, J.M. Scarlet Into Khaki: The British Army on the Eve of the Boer War. Greenhill Books, London, 1988, p. 21.

4. PAKENHAM-WALSH, Major General R.P. History of the Corps of Royal Engineers, Volume VIII, 1938-1948, The Institution of Royal Engineers, Chatham, 1958.

5. PAKENHAM-WALSH, Major General R.P. History of the Corps of Royal Engineers, Volume IX, 1938-1948, The Institution of Royal Engineers, Chatham, 1958.

6. SKELLEY, A.R. The Victorian Army at Home: The Recruitment and Terms and Conditions of the British Regular, 1859-1899. McGill-Queen’s University Press, Montreal, 1977, pp. 237-238.

Census Records

1. 1841 Census of England, Parish or Township of Pluckley, Kent (HO 107/475).

2. 1841 Census of England, Civil Parish; Bethnal Green, County; Middlesex, Registration District; Bethnal Green, Sub-registration district; Green (HO 107/692).

3. 1851 Census of England, Civil Parish; Pluckley, County; Kent, Registration District; West Ashford, Sub-registration district; Calehill, Enumeration District: 3b, Household Schedule Number 41 (HO 107/1621).

4. 1871 Census of England, Civil Parish; Ashford, County; Kent, Registration District; West Ashford, Sub-registration district; Ashford, Enumeration District: 5, Household Schedule Number 201 (RG 10/958).

5. 1881 British Census. Family History Library Film 1341226, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Public Record Office Reference RG11, Piece 0947, Folio 100, Page 21.

6. 1881 Census of England, Ashford, Kent, RG11/947.

7. 1891 Census of England, Ashford, Kent, RG12/700.

8. Vital Records Index – British Isles. Family History Library Film 992517, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

9. Vital Records Index – British Isles. Family History Library Film 1469569, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Civil Documents

1. England & Wales, Death Index: 1984-2005, Registration District: Worksop, Inferred County: Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Volume 8, Page 1412.

2. Records of Baptisms Solemnized at Karachi, India, N/3/94, p. 203, Bombay Baptisms, 1905 held at the India Office Library.

3. Certified Copy of an Entry of Marriage, Registration District of Medway, 29 April 2009, MXE 334333.

4. Certified Copy of an Entry of Death, General Register Office, QBDY 103483, dated 29 April 2009.

Correspondence

1. Letter from Peter Bennett to Lt. Col. Edward De Santis, dated 8 May 2009, re: Research Pertaining to Alfred Charles Jenner.

2. Email from Mrs. Peggy Jenner (daughter-in-law of Major Jenner) to Lt. Colonel Edward De Santis, dated 6 June 2009, re: Major A.C. Jenner, R.E.

Internet Web Sites

1. Ancestry.com. Select Births, Christening and Deaths in the England, 1538-1975.

The Free Dictionary by FARLEX. Internet web site: www.acronyms.thefreedictionary.com 2.    multiMap from Microsoft Live Search. Internet web site: www.multimap.com
3.    University of London Officer Training Corps Internet web site.FreeBMD Internet web site. Medway District, Volume 2a, page 2592.
4.   5-Generation Pedigree Chart, Ancestry.com. http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/pedigreePrint.aspx?tid+734931&pid=-1112185450

5. Wikipedia Internet Web Site: Bassetlaw District General Hospital.

6. Wikipedia – Hanwell. https://www.google.com/#q=hanwell+london

London Gazette

1. Supplement to the London Gazette, 27 June, 1941, p. 3657.

2. Supplement to the London Gazette, 9 February 1945, p. 810.

3. Supplement to the London Gazette, 18 April, 1952, p. 2100.

4. Supplement to the London Gazette, 17 December, 1957, p. 7343.

5. Supplement to the London Gazette, 22 August, 1961, p. 6170.

6. Supplement to the London Gazette, 4^th November 1976, p. 14856 to 14857.

Periodicals

1. The Sapper, May 1924.

2. The Sapper, July 1929.

3. The Sapper, January 1931.

4. The Sapper, December 1930.

5. The Sapper, February 1931.

6. The Sapper, October 1932.

7. The Sapper, May 1934.

8. The Sapper, June 1934.

9. The Sapper, October 1935.

10. The Sapper, March 1936.

11. The Sapper, November 1940.

12. The Sapper, February 1940.

13. The Sapper, July 1941.

14. The Sapper, October 1942.

15. The Sapper, December 1945.

16. The Sapper, June 1955.

17. The Sapper, July 1964.

18. The Sapper, January 1966.

Royal Engineers Journals and Royal Engineers Lists

1. The Royal Engineers Quarterly List, October 1935, p. xxi.

2. The Royal Engineers List, 1943, p. liv.

3. The Monthly Supplement to the Royal Engineers Journal, October 1985, Volume 101, No. 10.

4. Royal Engineers Tracer Cards.

Service Papers

Short Service Enlistment Papers of 27340 Sapper Alfred Rolfe Jenner, Royal Engineers, consisting of the following documents:

Short Service Attestation (Army Form B. 263).
Description on Enlistment.
Statement of Services.
Military History Sheet.
Medical History.

ENDNOTES