‘F. J. Jenkins’ from Bendigo left his mark in the Naours Caves while serving in World War I.

Archaeologist Gilles Prilaux, from the Centre de recherches de Croix-Moligneaux, believes the inscription to be that of Frederick John Jenkins.

Jenkins enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on February 23, 1915, at Beaufort.

He was 22 years old at the time, unmarried, and cited Bendigo as his place of birth.

Assigned to the 23^rd Australian Infantry Battalion, Jenkins received a number of honours and awards.

He had achieved the rank of sergeant by August 9, 1916, when he was awarded a Distinguished Conduct Medal ‘for conspicuous gallantry’.

Jenkins was recommended for a Military Cross little over a year later, at which time he had achieved the rank of second lieutenant.

The major-general commanding the Second Australian Division recognised Jenkins for his ‘coolness and courage’ while in charge of a party carrying ammunition and bombs to forward captured positions at Westhoek during the attack on the morning of September 20, 1917.

Not only did his demeanour enable “this important feature of the attack to be carried out most successfully,” Jenkins bandaged and carried a seriously wounded officer to a place of safety while under heavy fire.

A digitised Army form detailing the recommendation notes there was no stretcher available.

Jenkins was also awarded a Military Medal during his time of service.

In addition to notes of congratulations and distinction, his family was also sent a number of notifications of injuries.

Jenkins returned to Australia on March 23, 1919.

To see the original documents, click here.

He briefly returned to his previous occupation of school teaching, upon his return.

Within a few years, Jenkins married Doris Holliwell Lewis and started a family on a soldier-settlement block at Red Cliffs.

The family left Red Cliffs in 1936, for Queensland. Jenkins returned to military service during World War II.

He died in 1983, and was survived by three sons and a daughter – his eldest son was the late MP Glyn Jenkins.

Mr Prilaux was hopeful sharing his discovery would prompt relatives of Jenkins to come forward.

“I would be very proud to be able to transmit the picture of his signature to his descendants,” he said.

He said he discovered signatures in the Naours Caves three years ago, ‘by the greatest chance’.

The archaeological intervention was initially intended to date the origin of the caves.

Mr Prilaux said coins, musket balls and fragments of pottery discovered in the caves proved they had been occupied during the Thirty Years’ War from 1618 – 1648.

“In December 2013, I had the idea to observe the walls of the caves to search for engravings,” the archaeologist wrote.

“It was a real shock to discover all these signatures.”

Study of the inscriptions, which were found among three kilometres of passages, has kept him occupied for four years.

“The signatures were made by soldiers who came to visit the caves during periods of rest or convalescence for wounded soldiers,”  Mr Prilaux wrote.

He said diary extracts indicated the caves became a tourist attraction for soldiers serving nearby during World War I.

(VIDEO: Former Minister for Veterans' Affairs Dan Tehan visits the Naours Caves)

Mr Prilaux said the majority of the 3200 signatures in the Naours Caves were Australian.

“But there is the presence of American, Canadian, English, Scottish, South African, Indian and French signatures.

“At the end of the year 2018 we will inaugurate a small museum dedicated to these graffiti,” Mr Prilaux wrote. 

“This project is supported financially by the Australian Government.”

The government last month announced a $30,000 (€20,000) contribution towards helping secure, protect and preserve the site.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester said the inscriptions in the Naours Caves were wonderful historical records.

“This is a very special place, and we will work closely with the local authorities over the coming years to ensure a positive visitor experience at this key stop on the Australian Remembrance Trail along the Western Front,” he said.