East Africa & Rhodesia - 24/5/56 - Mr Walter Jenkins, who sailed for East Africa last Friday in the British India liner "Uganda" on his last tour of the territories before retiring from the service of Smith Mackenzie and Co. Ltd., owes his connexion with that fine house, the oldest established British business in East Africa, to the fact that he was wounded in France in 1916 while serving with the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders as a sergeant (and acting, and unpaid, CSM) and sent to Lady Astor's hospital near Taplow. Mr W.J.W. Nicol, one of the early partners of the firm, who had come back to the London office at the beginning of the century, was assiduous in visiting Scots who had been wounded on the Western Front, he often saw Mr Jenkins (a schoolmaster by profession), and one day suggested that he should join the East African staff. But meantime he had collected the MSM and two mentions in despatches.

He sailed for Zanzibar in 1920, was made a partner five years later, and senior partner in 1933 after serving at various offices in Kenya and Tanganyika Territory, and especially at the head office in Mombasa, whence he returned to London over 20 years ago to take charge of the London end; and when the firm was converted into a limited liability company in 1936 he became managing director. He continued to hold that office until the domicile of the company was moved to East Africa in 1950, when he joined the partnership of Gray, Dawes & Company, the parent company.

His successor is to be Mr Alan Knox, who recently returned to England after spending 27 years with Smith Mackenzie in East Africa. Mr Jenkins has for many years represented the Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Eastern Africa on the executive council of the Joint East And Central African Board; he is a past president of the Caledonian Societies of Mombasa and Zanzibar, and life president of the Mombasa Rowing Club, of which he was the founder. …….. [more]
Richardson 1929 - Kilindini - "Mr W.F. Jenkins (Smith Mackenzie & Co.) came on board and asked me to stay a few days with him  …….. Jenkins' house is pleasantly situated overlooking the harbour, a large place with plenty of rooms ……"

Gazette - 1/7/1925 - Notice - Walter Frederick Jenkins admitted a Partner in the firm of Smith, Mackenzie & Co. From 1 July 1925