John Banks Jenkinson

Memorial: Falfield - St George's Church

Regiment: Rifle Brigade

Medals: 1914–15 Star, British War Medal, Next of Kin Memorial Plaque 1914 - 1921, Victory Medal

Rank and number: Captain

Parents: Sir George Banks Jenkinson (12th Bart) and Madeline Jenkinson (nee Holme-Sumner)

Marital status: Married

Home address: Bears House, Wentworth, Virginia Water, Surrey

Date of birth: 09/06/1881

Place of birth: Cadogan Square, London

Date of death: 14/09/1914

Buried/Commemorated at: Vendresse British Cemetery(Plot Ref: I.C.17.), France

Age: 33

Further information:

John Banks Jenkinson was the great-great nephew of the Second Earl of Liverpool (Baron Hawkesbury), the 19th Century British Prime Minister. He was the eldest son and heir of Sir George Banks Jenkinson. He was a career soldier joining the Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consorts Own) in 1899 and served in the Boer War with the Mounted Infantry, he obtained the Queen's medal with five clasps. John became Captain in 1908 and General Staff Officer, Eastern Command by 1912 and Brigade Major, 3rd Infantry Brigade in 1913. He went to France as Brigade-Major, in August 1914 and was involved in the Retreat from Mons. On 14th September 1914, the 3rd Infantry Brigade was in position to the north-west of the village of Vendresse during what would become known as the Battle of the Aisne and Captain Jenkinson was out in front of the leading battalions carrying out a reconnaissance when he was killed in action as they advanced from the Marne to the slopes above the Aisne. His last words were said to be "fight on".

Please note: On the Commonwealth War Graves Commission web site the date of death is recorded as 14th September 1914 but on the “War Diary of the 1st South Wales Borderers” web site it refers to his death as Wednesday 16th September 1914.

John Banks Jenkinson was Mentioned in Despatches.

John Banks Jenkinson was the husband of Joan Jenkinson (nee Hill later as Mrs. Langhorne) of Bears House, Wentworth, Virginia Water, Surrey.

By kind permission, this information is based on the following source(s):

Many thanks to the researcher Simon Bendry
Forces War Records and Falfield Village website