Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Harry JENKINS

Military Medal

Recommendation:- 

'During the operations east of Ypres on 4th October, he was one of a party proceeding to WESTHOEK. As the party was passing CHATEAU WOOD the enemy put down a heavy barrage, which dispersed and caused several casualties to them. L/Cpl. Jenkins displayed the greatest personal courage in getting the party collected and conveyed to a place of safety, being himself wounded before he could seek safety.'

Received 09.10.17. Passed 11/09/17

Harry Jenkin’s war experience could certainly not be described as boring. The highs and lows of the fighting he experienced were frequently reported in the local Bendigo newspapers in his first years of service. Enlisting on October 3, 1914 he was in the first group of troops to join the British Expeditionary Force from Bendigo.

The first report was certainly sobering when the Bendigonian weekly published this short piece on September 9 1915 under the heading, SAPPER HARRY JENKINS: -

‘Sapper Harry Jenkins, of the 2nd Field Company Engineers, is reported missing at the Dardanelles since 7th August. He was previously reported as wounded in JuIy. His father, Mr. J. F. Jenkins, of Havlin street, Bendigo, received the news last evening that his son was missing. Sapper Jenkins is 23 years of age, and followed mining pursuits prior to enlisting.[1]

Two weeks later there was better news in the Bendigo Independent newspaper under the heading: -

BIG AUSTRALIAN CHARGE. DESCRIBED BY SAPPER H. JENKINS. MISSING REPORT UPSET.

'Private (now Sapper) Harry Jenkins, who lived with his parents in Havelin Street, Quarry Hill, was one of the first Bendigonians to volunteer for active service, and was a member of the 6th Battalion, and has been at the Dardanelles from the beginning of hostilities there. He took part in the fighting with the French troops at Cape Helles, and received a bayonet wound in the back from a Turk, whom he managed to put out of action. He was in hospital for several weeks, and upon recovery was again ordered to the front. He was again in the famous fighting which took place on August 7 at Anzac, and was again injured, this time by the bursting of a shell which killed many of his mates. He escaped with numerous bruises and an injured knee. He was officially reported as missing from August 7, but the following letter, which was written from Heliopolis Hospital, Egypt, under date August 10, dispels the news as to his missing. [2]

Harry survived his time on the Gallipoli Peninsula taking part in the major battles involving Allied troops. He returned to Egypt for treatment in November 1915 and faced the first of multiple disciplinary charges over the course of the next two years in both Egypt, France and in England. In one disciplinary incident he faced Court Marshall in the Field on December 1, 1916. Despite these numerous incidents he is transferred to the 2nd Field Company of Engineers in June 1917 and circumstances took a turn for the better when he would be promoted to Lance Corporal.

The news of the Military Medal does not reach the Bendigo newspapers until 8 months later when the first account is reported in June 1918 in the Bendigonian. The Bendigoian reporter does not disclose the source of their information in the article, however, this version of events differs considerably from the actual citation officially posted.

‘Lance-Corporal Harry Jenkins, 5th Battalion, only son of Mr. J. F. Jenkins, has been awarded the Military Medal for bravery. The following appeared in the London "Gazette”: —"His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Military Medal for bravery in the field to Lance Corporal H. Jenkins." The article went on: -

‘Lance-Corporal Jenkins enlisted at the outbreak of hostilities and sailed in October 1914. He participated in the landing at Gallipoli. Later, he was wounded, and was back again at the time of the evacuation. He has since fought in Belgium and France, and has been wounded five times. The deed for which he received the Military Medal was when in the trenches Lance-Corporal Jenkins's comrades were being picked off and for a time the sniper could not be located, but after awhile the officer in charge sighted the sniper, through his glasses, in a shell hole in No Man's Land. He called for someone to "get" him. Lance-Corporal Jenkins stepped forward and said he would make an attempt. He crawled out of the trench and wormed his way to the back of the shell hole, pounced on the sniper from the back, and brought him back alive. With the sniper's head under his arm he said: — "I got him, Captain." In due course he received the reward for his courage and daring.[3]

No Photo of Sapper Harry Jenkins located as yet.

SERVICE DETAILS:

Regiment No. 418
Religion: Protestant
Occupation: Labourer
Marital status: Single
Age at enlistment: 22
Next of kin: Father, John Francis Jenkins, Havlin Street, Bendigo
Enlistment date: 3 October 1914
Unit name: 5th Battalion, 1st Reinforcement
Final Rank: Sapper
Embarked: HMAT A32 Themistocles on 22 December 1914         Fate: Returned to Australia January 15, 1919                               Died: June 16, 195

During the operations east of Ypres on 4th October, 1917.

Harry Jenkins was recommended for the Military Medal for action on October 4 1917, at Broodseinde Ridge. The ridge commanded the eastern approaches to and the town of Ypres in Belgium.  German artillery observers could direct fire at will from the ridge line into the Allied positions. The AIF 1st, 2nd and 3rd Divisions mounted a large attack on the 4th October in an effort to capture the ridge.

[1] Bendigonian, September 9 1915.Page 21 

[2] Bendigo Independent, September 23 1915. Page 6

[3] Bendigonian newspaper, June 6 1918 Page 28. SOLDIERS HONORED. LANCE-CORPORAL H. JENKINS, M. M.