JENKIN, Albert John
| Service Number: | VX62795 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 3 September 1941 |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | Northern Territory Force Postal Unit |
| Born: | St Arnaud, Victoria, 5 August 1916 |
| Home Town: | Portland, Glenelg, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Shop assistant |
| Died: | Died of Injuries (jumped from a train), Grafton, New South Wales, Australia, 13 August 1942, aged 26 years |
| Cemetery: |
Grafton Cemetery, NSW |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Portland WW2 Honour Roll, Portland WW2 Memorial, Portland and District St. Stephen's Anglican Church WW2 Supreme Sacrifice Roll of Honor |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1941: | Enlisted Private, VX62795, Royal Park, Victoria | |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Sep 1941: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Corporal, VX62795 | |
| 13 Aug 1942: | Involvement Corporal, VX62795, Northern Territory Force Postal Unit |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by John Edwards
"FATAL LEAP FROM TRAIN
GRAFTON: After hearing evidence at the inquest on Albert John Jenkins, who died in the Grafton District Hospital after jumping from the Brisbane-Sydney express on August 12, the Deputy Coroner (Mr F. Earle) said the inadequacy of the escort provided was in a large measure responsible for the man's death. Jenkins was a mental case from a northern military camp. Evidence showed that only one man was sent in charge of Jenkins and 16 other patients and that at the time of the accident this man was in charge of seven patients, including Jenkins. Robert John McGee said that on August 9 he left a northern camp, escorting 17 patients, one being Jenkins. At Brisbane some of the patients went by flying-boat, while he and seven patients including Jenkins, left Brisbane by train for Sydney.
"COMPLAINT TO AUTHORITIES."
McGee said Jenkins was troublesome on the train and at 6.30 p.m. thinking Jenkins was asleep, he left the carriage. Almost immediately he heard a window go up, and, rushing back, he found Jenkins missing. He pulled the communication cord and stopped the train. Jenkins was found conscious 400 yards back along the line. McGee said he had complained to the authorities at a northern military station about having no help with 17 patients, including a mental case, but he was told no assistance could be given. Jenkins died next day. The Deputy Coroner returned a verdict of death from injuries from jumping from a train four miles from Graflon." - from the Brisbane Telegraph 25 Aug 1942 (nla.gov.au)
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