JENKINS Richard Borlase
2nd Lieut. Richard Borlase JENKINS
9th Sqdn., Royal Flying Corps, France
(after serving in 2nd Battalion (24th Foot) 6th South Wales Borderers)
Died of wounds 18th Jan 1916, aged 19 years
[Entry corrected: as Richard is named 'Richard C. JENKINS' on Bishopston & Murton Memorials]
Buried with Honour at Villars Bocage, Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille in France. VIII. E. 2.
Inscription on headstone: ‘DICK’
Credit: Sherborne School Archives, Abbey Road, Sherborne, DorsetMemorial Plaque and 'Trio' of Medals
The Medals are, 1914/15 Star, British War Medal, The Victory Medal
The Memorial Plaque was issued after the First World War to the next-of-kin of all British and Empire personel who were killed as a result of the war and became to be known as the 'Dead Mans Penny.'
The Memorial Plaque is often to be seen mounted into a comercially made frame, along with other photos relevant to the persons service.
Son of Charles Griffiths Jenkins (1869-1947) (attended Sherborne School 1883-1888), solicitor, and Maud Ethel Jenkins (née Ayres), of Oakley, Teignmouth, Devon
Home: formerly of Gorse Cottage, Caswell Bay, Swansea
Born at Pwll Ddu, Bishopston, near Swansea on 21 August 1896
Names of siblings: Lettice Mary Jenkins, Hugh Griffith Jenkins (1904-), attended Sherborne School 1918-1922. Kathleen Maud Jenkins, Barbara Eliza Jenkins
An extract from 'Wales and the First Air War 1914-1918' by Dr Johnathan Hicks
'The first Welsh airman to be killed in 1916 was Second Lieutenant Richard Borlase Jenkins, who died of his wounds on 17 January.
Born in Bishopston near Swansea on 21 August 1896, he was educated at Llandrindod Wells and Sherborne School, where he was a member of the Officer Training Corps and played rugby for the fiirst team for three years.
Jenkins had intended to be an engineer but, when war started, he volunteered for the Army.
He was gazetted a second lieutenant in the 6th South Wales Borderers on 19 September 1914 and sent to Sandhurst.
On 16 June 1915, he joined the Royal Flying Corps and trained as a pilot at Farnborough and Upavon.
On 17 January 1916, he took off in a B.E.2c on a bombing mission. His aircraft was attacked on its way back by a Fokker aeroplane. Jenkins was struck on the head in the incident, but he made a perfect landing and appered only slightly wounded.
He was admitted to a casualty clearing station, where he died of a brain haemorrhage a few hours later.
He was buried at Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille in France.
Educated: Llanyre Hall preparatory schoolLlandrindod Wells and Sherborne School
Sherborne School: Dates of attendance: April 1910-September 1914
School House: Abbey House.
Achievements: 1st XV rugby football team 1912-3, 1913-4
Memorial: Sherborne School: War Memorial Staircase; Book of Remembrance; Abbey House roll of honour
Credit: Sherborne School Archives, Abbey Road, Sherborne, DorsetAbbey House Senior XV 1914
Characters of the Sherborne XV, 1912-1913:
R.B. Jenkins. Strong and fairly fast, he might develop into a scoring wing three-quarter. He must learn to keep his head, hand off, and get up his pace more quickly. By no means a safe tackler at present.
Characters of the Sherborne XV, 1913-1914:
R.B. Jenkins. Played wing to his Captain, where his strength and dash, combined with very fair pace, made him always formidable. With quicker grasp of a situation, he should make a dangerous and scoring centre. A good kick.
Credit: Sherborne School Archives, Abbey Road, Sherborne, Dorset
In addition
On 5 August 1915 was awarded the Royal Aero Club Aviator Certificate at Military School, Farnborough
We are grateful to the School for their archive of photos and records