BIOGRAPHY

Milly Jenkins was born in Garndiffaith, Torfaen, Wales, UK, on 29 August 1906. Three of her eight siblings — three brothers and five sisters — also lived to be over 100. She attended Garndiffaith School and left home at just 14 to work in London as a housekeeper for a doctor and his wife, sending money back home to support her family in Wales.

She later returned to Wales and worked at ROF Glascoed as an ammunition inspector during the Second World War. After the war, she spent several years working in canteens, including at Vipond’s Collieries, Deakon’s Slope in Varteg, and later at the ICI Fibres canteen, before retiring at the age of 62. However, retirement didn’t last long — she soon returned to her old school to work as a dinner lady, a role she had until retiring again at 72.

In 1929, she married Gordon Jenkins, while both were in their early 20s, at Pontypool Registry Office. Gordon passed away aged 82. Together, they had two sons, Dennis and Alan. As her husband wasn’t keen on travelling abroad, it wasn’t until she was 82 that she went on her first foreign holiday.

When she was about 98, she fell down the stairs and broke her hip.

Milly Jenkins passed away in Pontnewynydd, Torfaen, Wales, on 11 November 2016, at the age of 110 years, 74 days. She was survived by nine grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and 12 great-great-grandchildren.

RECOGNITION

On 17 January 2016, following the passing of Gwenllian Davies, she became the oldest living person in Wales. Upon her own passing, she was succeeded by Olive Enid Ann Rees (29 September 1908 — 25 December 2016) of Pontypool.

Jenkins’ age was verified by Dr. Andrew Holmes and validated by the ESO on 30 October 2020.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Celebrations for a 109th birthday in Gwent” — South Wales Argus, 29 August 2015

* “Milly Jenkins, believed to be the oldest person in Wales, has died at the age of 110” — Wales Online, 26 November 2016

* ““Wales’ oldest woman” dies at the age of 110” — South Wales Argus, 27 November 2016

GALLERY