Louis Fleeming Jenkin

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}  {{Infobox military person | name = Louis Fleeming Jenkin | image = | caption = | birth_date = {{Birth date|1895|08|22|df=yes}} | death_date = {{Death date and age|1917|09|11|1895|08|22|df=yes}} | burial_label = Commemorated at | burial_place = Arras Flying Service Memorial | birth_place = [[London]], [[England]] | death_place = [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]] | burial_coordinates =  | nickname = | allegiance = {{flag|United Kingdom}} | branch = {{army|United Kingdom}} | service_years = 1914–1917 | service_number = | rank = [[Captain (British Army and Royal Marines)|Captain]] | unit = [[Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire)]]<br />[[Royal Flying Corps]] | commands = | battles = [[World War I]] | awards = [[Military Cross]] & [[medal bar|Bar]] | relations = | other_work = }} Captain '''Louis Fleeming Jenkin''', [[Military Cross]] & [[medal bar|Bar]], (22 August 1895 – 11 September 1917) was a [[First World War]] [[flying ace]] credited with 22 victories.<ref name=aero1>{{cite web|url=http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/jenkin.php |title=Louis Jenkin |publisher=The Aerodrome |accessdate=18 August 2009}}</ref>

==Early life and service== Jenkin was born in [[London]], [[England]], on 22 August 1895 to Austin Fleeming Jenkin and Betty Jenkin.<ref name=CWGC /> He originally served with the 9th (Service) Battalion of the [[Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire)]].<ref name=CWGC /> In the opening days of the [[World War I|First World War]], on 24 September 1914, he was commissioned as a [[Temporary gentlemen|temporary]] [[second lieutenant]] in that unit.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=29058|supp=y|page=1183|date=2 February 1915}}</ref>

==Royal Flying Corps== Jenkin transferred to the [[Royal Flying Corps]] on 19 April 1917.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=30058|supp=y|page=4444|date=8 May 1917}}</ref> He was posted to [[No. 1 Squadron RAF|No. 1 Squadron]] on 15 May 1917.<ref name=aero1/> The squadron had just equipped for fighter operations with [[Nieuport 17]]s in February.<ref name=aero2>{{cite web|url=http://www.theaerodrome.com/services/gbritain/rfc/1.php|title=1 Squadron|publisher=aerodrome.com|accessdate=18 August 2009}}</ref>

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 (military unit)|flight]] on 31 July, and promoted to temporary [[captain (British Army and Royal Marines)|captain]].<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=30237|supp=y|page=8506|date=17 August 1917}}</ref> He was awarded the [[Military Cross]] on 16 August 1917, the citation read:<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=30234|supp=y|page=8372|date=14 August 1917}}</ref>

{{quote|T./Lt. Louis Fleeming Jenkin, Gen. List and R.F.C.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Whilst on offensive patrol he has continually shown the greatest dash and determination in attacking enemy aircraft in superior numbers, destroying some and bringing others down out of control.}}

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 (aviator)|Otto Schmidt]] of [[Jasta 29]].<ref name=aero1/> The award of [[medal bar|Bar]] to his MC was announced on 17 September, the citation read:<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=30287|supp=y|page=9559|date=17 September 1917}}</ref>

{{quote|T./Lt. Louis Fleeming Jenkin, M.C., Gen. List and R.F.C.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in continually attacking hostile aircraft at close range, destroying some and driving others down out of control. His dash and offensive spirit have at all times been admirable. (M.C. gazetted 16th August, 1917.)}}

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.<ref name=aero1/> He is commemorated on the Arras Flying Memorial.<ref name=CWGC>{{cite web |url= http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1574369/JENKIN,%20LOUIS%20FLEEMING |title=Casualty Details: Jenkin, Louis Fleeming |work=Commonwealth War Graves Commission |year=2015 |accessdate=13 April 2015}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jenkin, Louis Fleeming}} [[Category:1895 births]] [[Category:1917 deaths]] [[Category:Loyal Regiment officers]] [[Category:British Army personnel of World War I]] [[Category:Royal Flying Corps officers]] [[Category:Recipients of the Military Cross]] [[Category:British World War I flying aces]] [[Category:British military personnel killed in World War I]] [[Category:Aviators killed by being shot down]] [[Category:People from Newington, London]]