Tom Jenkins

The son of a South Wales surveyor and architect, Jenkin “Tom” Jenkins was not born into money but inherited it in 1910 following the death of his uncle. As a result, he became the owner of the Gelly Estate, near Port Talbot, South Wales, and became known as the “Squire of Gelly”.

A former journalist, Jenkins suffered from ill-health in his early 20s and went to live in Switzerland and then South Africa where, after regaining his health, he joined the British Army and fought in the Boer War.

After inheriting Gelly, Jenkins lived off his own means and, as a fine sportsman, enjoyed hunting. As the president of the West Glamorgan Miniature Rifle League, he accompanied the Great Britain rifle shooting team to the 1912 Stockholm Olympics in an official capacity and was also entered for the 50 metres small-bore rifle (any position) event, but did not take part.