Widecombe-in-the-Moor

Richard Mobray Jenkins

Richard Mobray Jenkins was born 27th February 1921 in Keynsham, Bristol.

Father: Edgar J Jenkins: Mother: Blanche A Watson.

Two elder sisters, Elizabeth W. and Mary H.

Richard’s father was a wealthy animal/bird food manufacturer who died when Richard was only 6 years of age. Richard attended Clifton College, Bristol. (18years in 1939 census.)

He enlisted in Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve at Weston-Super-Mare in 1940.Following training he achieved the rank of Pilot Officer (Observer). Stationed at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, Richard was training on Wellington Mk 1C bombers.

On 6th April 1942 Wellington Bomber N2859 took off from RAF Lossiemouth on a day-time training flight. The plane suffered engine failure on take-off and crashed half a mile from the Airfield. The pilot James Russell Moore (R.C.A.F) and Air gunner Douglas Lees both died instantly.

Richard Mowbray Jenkins died on 9th April 1942.

Richard is buried in the Lossiemouth War Memorial Cemetery in Moray Scotland. He is also commemorated on Leusdon War Memorial.

Probate records provided Richard’s mother’s address as “Old Walls”, Poundsgate, Leusdon. She is listed as Blanche Annie Biggs in this cemetery.