Robert E. Jenkins remembered

Memorial

A memorial to Robert E. Jenkins was inaugurated on the 17th June 2000 by Roger Benier, county representative of the Association of French - American Veterans AACFA. Brass plates give an outline of what happened in both French and English. The memorial is at Chemin du Rin de la Berthelotière, 41190 Molineuf, Valencisse (47.58090371132509, 1.219659000527811), it's placed as close as is practical to the site of the crash, a map on a brass plate indicates where the actual crash happened. A futher plate is inscribed 'Devoir de mémoire'. This means 'the moral obligation to remember this tragic event and its victims to prevent it happening again'. A ceremony is held every year around the 17th of June.

To visit the memorial, drive to Molineuf (shown as Valencisse on some maps), follow the very steep lane up the hill from the bridge over the river Cisse 'La Pigeonnière du Billeux' (follow the sign that says 'Stele'). There is plenty of parking space near the memorial.

Photo: David Fletcher September 2023.

Molineuf memorial to the fallen

Robert is also inscribed on the memorial to the men of the village who died for France in the wars since 1914. Every year on the 11th of November at 11:00 am the names are read out. Each name read is followed by a second person who cries 'Mort pour la France' - Died for France.

Robert E. Jenkins was temporarily buried by the villagers in the community cemetary. He was moved in 1945 to the American military cemetary at Colleville sur Mer in Normandy.

Photo: David Fletcher October 2023.

Normandy American Cemetery

Robert E. Jenkins rests at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial

Colleville-sur-Mer, Calvados, Basse-Normandie, France  GPS 49.3605347, -0.8549490

Plot B Row 22 Grave 39.  Memorial ID: 56646034

 Photo: Ray Sanford 2014