In memory of

Sergeant (Pilot) Owen Michael Jenkins

The grave of Sgt. O. M. Jenkins in Bellebrune churchyard, Pas de Calais, France.

DCB (findagrave)

Owen Michael Jenkins was born 30th September, 1917, in Watford, one of five children born to Alfred Jenkins, from Raglan, Monmouthshire, and Christina May Jenkins (nee Beckley), of Rickmansworth.

He enlisted in the RAF Volunteer Reserve as a pilot, in January, 1937. The 1939 Register shows Owen living with his parents and sister Marion, at 109 Rickmansworth Road.

On 19th October, 1940, Jenkins was posted to No.245 Squadron at RAF Aldergrove, for advanced training, along with three other pilots who had also come from No.5 Operational Training Unit at Aston Down. Nearly a month later, he was transferred from the training to the operational list, along with Pilot Officer de la Perrelle, Captain de Scitivaux and Sgts. Beguin, Kucera, Hare and Brown.
Jenkins took part in two operational dawn patrols during his time with 245 Squadron – the first, on 13th November, had to be abandoned due to poor visibility and the second, on 25th November, appears to have been uneventful. On 30th November, he joined No.615 Squadron at RAF Northolt.

Operational activity was less intense now that winter had arrived, but Jenkins still flew 5 sorties before the Squadron moved to Kenley on 15 December and did not fly operationally again until 23 December, a similar experience to other members of the squadron due to the weather.

Jenkins started the New Year with a patrol to Maidstone. His first venture to the Continent occurred on 9 January 1941 when he joined the squadron in patrolling Cap Gris Nez and Calais. On his next venture to the Continent, a ‘Circus’ operation escorting bombers on 5 February 1941, Jenkins was shot down over Calais flying Hurricane Mk.I, V6980, coded KW*U. He was killed on his first contact with the enemy, although at the time the Squadron diary recorded:

Sweep over France. The Squadron (12 aircraft) accompanied by No.1 Squadron (10 aircraft) took off 1200 hours, led by Wing Commander Holmwood. Enemy made lightening attack from out of clouds and vanished. Sergt. Jenkins missing – presumed Prisoner of War last seen gliding under control towards St. Omer.

**Spelling as per diary**

Rest in peace Sir and thank you for your service.

Service number

748164

Rank

Sergeant

Date of death

5/02/1941

Age at death

Memorial or graveyard location

BELLEBRUNE CHURCHYARD, Pas De Calais, France (1)

Notes

Sources: David J Smith: Action Stations 7. Bruce Barrymore Halpenny: Action Stations 8. The National Archives, Kew. Many thanks to Dave DCB from findagrave for the photo. Birth, marriage and death records.