British WWII Gallantry Grouping to Lt Col. Jenkins DSO, OBE,MC – Item 110792

Magnificent Group of 12 Medals awarded to Lt. Col Jenkins, DSO, OBE, MC. Consisting of Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., silver-gilt and enamel, the reverse officially dated ’1941′, with its original retaining pin; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Officer’s (O.B.E.) breast Badge, Military Division, silver-gilt and enamel, hallmarks for London 1928; Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914 Star, clasp (1840 Pte. F. A. Jenkins. 1/28 Lond:R.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. F. A. M. B. Jenkins.); India General Service 1908-35, 2 clasps, Mohmand 1933, North West Frontier 1935 (Capt. F. A. M. B. Jenkins, 3-2 Punjab R.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oakleaf, sometime lacquered, good very fine (12)

The Immediate ‘Italian Somaliland 1941′ D.S.O., ‘North-West Frontier 1936′ O.B.E., ‘Palestine 1918′ M.C. group of twelve awarded to Major-General F. A. M. B. Jenkins, 2nd Punjab Regiment

D.S.O. London Gazette 19 August 1941, the original Recommendation states:

An illustrious career in service saw him on the North-West Frontier and Palestine, see bloody fighting in Mohmad Country in the 1930s and later earn his D.S.O. for his remarkable leadership of the 3/2nd Punjab Regiment during the Battle of Karen, being further ‘mentioned’ in Abyssinia and Syria.

Frederick Arthur Montague Bertram Jenkins was born at Kensington, London on 24 August 1891, the son of John and Katherine Jenkins and nephew of Brigadier-General Noble Jenkins, C.M.G., C.B.E. He enlisted immediately on the outbreak of the Great War and entered the conflict as a Private with the 28th (County of London) Battalion (Artists Rifles), London Regiment on 26 October 1914.

 At the outbreak of the Second World War and was posted to the Middle East in the summer of 1940. They were sent to Gebeit above Port Sudan and later joined ‘Gazelle Force’, a mobile unit within the division. Jenkins was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel on 13 December 1940 and just prior to the advance into Italian Eritrea appointed to command the Battalion.

They went into action for the first time at Gogni on 26 January 1941 and saw heavy fighting over the next few days and Italian resistance steadily increased. Capturing Barentu on 2 February they began the advance on Karen, beginning the Battle of Karen, the culmination of the British Campaign in Eretria which began in Mid-March.

The plain of Karen was defended by Fort Dologorodoc, a position assigned to the West Yorkshires while the Zaben highest overlooking the fort was given to the 3/2nd. They succeeded in the face of heavy machine gun and artillery fire but soon encountered a major Italian counter-attack. The heaviest losses amongst the Battalion were in the Headquarters and Reserve companies, the only units available to face this attack.

Faced with heavy attack from three sides around one third of the Battalion became casualties and only four officers were still effective. They hung on before the fort for four gruelling days running short of food, water and ammunition while holding back nightly counter-attacks.

Jenkins continued to command the Battalion through the recapture of Abyssinia, in recognition of his service he was invited to a dinner with Halee Selassie at his palace on 3 July 1941. He received a ‘mention’ to go with his D.S.O. for his services in East Africa (London Gazette 19 August 1941, refers).  MORE DETAILED RESEARCH WILL BE ENCLOSED WITH THE GROUPING