Retired veteran Rob Jenkins will soon be awarded the French Legion of Honour for his services to France during World War II.
Son-in-law Mark Cochrane told The Echo that Mr Jenkins joined the RAAF in 1943 at age 20 and trained as a radio operator then later on Stirling and Lancaster bombers. ‘He was then seconded to Bomber Command!’ says Mark.
‘Rob flew 26 sorties focused on enemy transport and refinery installations over France, Germany and even Norway. Based at Waddington in Lincolnshire, most squadrons consisted of 15 planes and rarely did 15 return.
‘At the end of hostilities [he was part of a crew] that flew prisoners of war back to the UK from Germany.
‘Rob’s plane was known as “Uncle Joe” as its initials were “U-JO” and Wicks had painted a caricature of Joseph Stalin on the nose. It flew more than a hundred missions.’
Mark says that upon returning to Australia, Rob became a chartered accountant and, with wife Pat of 64 years, lives now with him and wife Alison. He added, ‘Rob is a very active 92-year-old with a great sense of humour and a keen enquiring mind.’