Stanley Wallace Jenkin, (1916-5/3/1940). "esteemed for his fine sportsmanship"

Stan Jenkin 

Widely esteemed for his fine sportsmanship, both in and out of the roped square, Stanley Jenkin, whose death occurred on Tuesday in tragic circumstances, will be missed not only by those who knew him personally, but also by all lovers of the art of fisticuffs. His rapid career to the heights of the boxing world in New Zealand was due not only to his natural ability, but to his keenness and fine fighting spirit. Whilst an amateur fighter he won 16 out of 20 bouts, and when he became a professional he fought such men of renown as Martin, Allan, Hanahan, Foster and Mudgway. He was a member of the St. Luke's Choir, and of the M.U.I.O.O.F. He was educated at the Waitaki Boys' High School, and was a prominent footballer there, and also as a member of the Excelsior Club. Jenkin's death is a distinct loss to boxing in particular and to sport in general, for he set an example of sportsmanship that could be followed by many. The sympathy of all goes to the Jenkin family, and to his elder brother, Norman, who is with the fighting forces overseas.   -Otago Daly Times, 7/3/1940.

THE LAST RITES 

FUNERAL OF MR STANLEY JENKIN 

Evidence of the widespread esteem in which Mr Stanley Jenkin was held was shown at his funeral at Oamaru yesterday afternoon, when over 100 cars followed the cortege to the Oamaru Cemetery. The hearse and a lorry were laden with floral tributes from sporting bodies including the boxing associations of Lower Hutt (Wellington), Dunedin, Timaru and Oamaru, and visiting boxers were present from all parts of the Dominion. The services were conducted by Archdeacon Russell and the Rev A H Blackburn and the Oddfellows' service by Mr W Edwards Pall-bearers at the graveside included Messrs W Currie, L Canning, C Hanham and C Jones  -Otago Daily Times, 9/3/1940.

A BOXER’S DEATH

HEAD STRUCK THE FLOOR 

FATAL INJURIES TO BRAIN 

[Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, March 29. A verdict that death was due to haemorrhage and laceration of the brain was returned at the inquest which was concluded at Petone concerning the death of Stanley Wallace Jenkin (23), of Dunedin, who died on March 5 after taking part the previous night in a professional boxing contest with Adolphe Victor Caltaux for the welter-weight championship of New Zealand.

Dr Lynch, pathologist, gave his report following a post mortem examination which in effect was that the injury to the brain was such, affecting as it did the respiratory and cardiac centres, that it produced a hopeless outlook. He did not think the injury to the brain could have arisen from a blow or blows on the front or side of the head. He understood that when the deceased fell his head struck the floor. This fall, in his opinion, produced fatal injuries in the brain substance. The other organs of the body presented a normal appearance. The heart and lungs were sound, and there was no bodily disease which would have rendered the deceased liable to injury. Death was due to haemorrhage and laceration of the brain.

The referee, Mr Leonard Stewart, said the contest was a clean-fought one. During the course of the last round Jenkin, who was well ahead on points and was fighting well, was knocked down, his head striking the floor hard. He rose at the count of eight and continued the fight without showing any effects of being knocked down on the floor. He was then knocked down again and rose at the count of three, still showing little effect from the blows which sent him to the floor on two previous occasions. On rising on the count of three he was rushed into his corner by Caltaux, who delivered a severe blow to the jaw, forcing Jenkin into a half-sitting position in the corner of the ring with his back resting on the pads protecting the corner ropes. At this stage it was not necessary, in witness’s opinion, to stop the fight, as Jenkin was still on his feet and there was very little time to go. Caltaux then delivered two uppercuts to the face. Witness saw that Jenkin was out on his feet, so stepped in between, raised Caltaux’s hand, and declared him the winner. Immediately Caltaux stepped back Jenkin collapsed on the floor. He was taken on a stretcher to the dressing room and attended to by two doctors. Witness was surprised to find him so seriously injured, as at no time during the fight did he show signs of distress, and it was not apparent he was knocked out until the time when witness stopped the fight. It was witness’s opinion that the last two blows Jenkin received were the cause of his being knocked out. The ring was in first-class condition. Caltaux struck no foul blows,.  -Evening Star, 29/3/1940.

Oamaru Cemetery.