Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1918 ‘Somme’ M.M. group of three awarded to Lance-Corporal F. H. Jenkin, 11th Australian Field Ambulance, Australian Army Medical Corps, Australian Imperial Force, for his repeated gallantry as a stretcher bearer near Albert, 4 April 1918

Military Medal, G.V.R. (71 Pte. - L. Cpl. - F. H. Jenkin. 11/F.A. Aust: A.M.C.) partially officially corrected; British War and Victory Medals (71 L/Cpl. F. H. Jenkin. A.M.C. A.I.F.) mounted for display, good very fine (3) £600-800

M.M. London Gazette 16 July 1918. The original recommendation states:

‘On the night April 4th 1918 he was in charge of the stretcher bearers at R.A.P. at Buire near Albert on the Ancre river. He took over this post which was quite new territory to him in the dark. He was responsible for the quick and successful evacuation of a large number of wounded men to the loading post, making many trips himself under heavy shell fire. He set a fine example of courage and determination to the other bearers, and his conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty are worthy of recognition.’

Francis Henry Jenkin was born in Plymouth, England, in 1892. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, at Melbourne, 10 May 1915, and arrived in the UK in September 1916. Jenkin embarked for France 24 November 1916, and served with the 11th Australian Field Ambulance as part of the 3rd Ambulance Division, Australian Army Medical Corps in the French theatre of war.

Jenkin returned to Australia in S.S. Ascanices in November 1919, and was discharged 5 January 1920.