John Jenkins was born in Portsmouth in 1919. Before the war, he worked as a cabin boy and traveled widely, attempting several times to join the Navy before ultimately joining the British Army. Excelling in training, John eventually earned promotions from Lance Corporal to Sergeant. He was responsible for instructing recruits and specialised in weapons and physical training. 

During the preparation for the D-Day landings, food was rationed, and secrecy was paramount. Amidst this intense period, John displayed not only dedication to duty, but also to his wife. In defiance, he snuck away to see her and seize moments of normalcy and affection.  

Ten days after D-Day in June 1944, John landed at Gold Beach as part of the Royal Pioneer Corps unit handling ammunition supplies. The conditions were harsh: he endured air raids and rough battlefield conditions to support the frontline operations. 

Following Germany’s surrender, he was stationed in Belgium and later in occupied Germany, overseeing displaced persons and ensuring order in a coal mine in Goch, near the Reichswald Forest. During this time, John witnessed the harrowing aftermath of the concentration camps, a sight that left a lasting impression on him. 

John’s story stands as a powerful testament to his steadfast dedication and sense of duty, shedding light on the multifaceted roles that military personnel played during and in the aftermath of World War II.