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Louis Fleeming Jenkin
Captain Louis Fleeming Jenkin, Military Cross & Bar, (22 August 1895 – 11 September 1917) was a First World War flying ace credited with 22 victories.[1] Early life and serviceJenkin was born in London, England, on 22 August 1895 to Austin Fleeming Jenkin and Betty Jenkin.[2] He originally served with the 9th (Service) Battalion of the Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire).[2] In the opening days of the First World War, on 24 September 1914, he was commissioned as a temporary second lieutenant in that unit.[3] Royal Flying CorpsJenkin transferred to the Royal Flying Corps on 19 April 1917.[4] He was posted to No. 1 Squadron on 15 May 1917.[1] The squadron had just equipped for fighter operations with Nieuport 17s in February.[5] On 23 May, Jenkin scored his initial victory. In less than a month, he was an ace, winning his fifth triumph on 8 June. By the end of June, his tally stood at 11. He nearly doubled that in July, ending the month with 20 victories. He was given command of a flight on 31 July, and promoted to temporary captain.[6] He was awarded the Military Cross on 16 August 1917, the citation read:[7]
He had no further victories until early September, when he drove down enemy planes a week apart, on the 4th and 11th. He was shot down later in the day on the 11th, after his morning victory, by Otto Schmidt of Jasta 29.[1] The award of Bar to his MC was announced on 17 September, the citation read:[8]
A final summary of his victories is two enemy airplanes destroyed on fire; six others destroyed singlehanded; two destroyed in cooperation with another pilot; twelve driven down out of control.[1] He is commemorated on the Arras Flying Memorial.[2] References
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