John Jenkins was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Florence Jenkins, of Farnborough, Hampshire.Trooper Jenkins successfully completed his parachute training on the 5 September 1945. It was noted that he was "A good parachutist. A reliable & steady worker"

Tpr Jenkins was posted to 716 Airborne Light Composite Company, Royal Army Service Corps where he served in Palestine.

He was killed on the 13 October 1946 and is now buried in Ramleh War Cemetery, Israel.