No.G/236, Lance Corporal, Matthew John JENNINGS
Aged 30
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Matthew Jennings was born in 1886 in Risby, Bury St Edmunds, (Thingoe Q3-1886 4A:681) son of Matthew and Ada Florence JENNINGS (née BLYTH).
1891 census...Aged 4, he was at The Street, Cavenham with his father Matthew JENNINGS [32] estate carpenter born Cheveley; his mother Ada Florence [27] born Risby; sisters Theodora F [7] born Risby and Alice May [11 months] born Cavenham; brothers William C [6] and Charles A [2] both born in Risby. 1901 census...Aged 14, a gardener, he was at Mill Farm, Cavenham with his parents; brothers William Edward (carpenter's apprentice), Charles Alfred and Frank [8], Lionel [2] both born Cavenham; sisters Alice May, Gertrude [4] and Maggie [4] both born in Cavenham 1911 census...Aged 24, a domestic journeyman gardener he was at The Bothey, Cavenham with 5 other gardeners. His parents were at Cavenham with brothers William E, Lionel [12], Clement [10], Herbert [7] and sisters Evelyn [5] and Gracie [8 months]. All the new siblings were born in Cavenham. Thirteen children in the family all surviving. He married Annie Elizabeth WILLIAMSON (b.24-2-1876) (Elham Q4-1914 2a:2817) His Service records show his widow was desperately trying to obtain more maintenance from the Army as she was raising Edmund JENNINGS (born 19/4/1907). Edmund was the illegitimate son of Matthew's sister Theodora Florence JENNINGS. She was unable to marry the father, Samuel (surname unreadable) as he was already married with three children. Annie's widow's pension from the Army was just 12 shillings 6 pence per week (63p), not enough for herself, yet alone raising a child. At the start of the claim (result unknown) she lived at 131 Perry Rise, Forest Hill, London but later moved to 23 Salop Street, Bridgnorth. |
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Matthew enlisted in Haywards Heath on 6th August 1914, reporting to Depot in Chichester 26th August 1914. He gave his age as 27 years, 333 days, born Risby
near Bury St Edmunds, resident in Balcombe Place, Balcombe, Sussex and a gardener. He was 5 feet 4.75 inches (164.4 cm) tall, chest 35.75" to 37.75",(90.8 to 95.9 cm) C of E with hazel eyes and dark hair Posted to the BEF on 31st May 1915 and promoted to Lance Corporal on 26th November 1915, he received a gunshot wound on 24th December 1915. There is no record of hospital, but on 8th March 1916 he was admitted to Brook War Hospital, Shooters Hill, Woolwich with a gunshot wound to the right thigh. On 12th May 1916 he was posted to Summerdown Camp, Eastbourne before being posted to the 3rd Battalion on 3rd July and returning to the BEF on 20th July 1916. Posted to the 7th battalion on 21st July, then the 2nd Battalion on 28th July before being killed in action on 9th September 1916 in France. The battalion were at High Wood, just north of Longueval and Delville Wood.The war diary has:- Draft of 4 OR joined the battalion. The 3rd Brigade was relieved in the morning by the 2nd Brigade and the 10th Glosters (1st Brigade) came up from BECOURT WOOD in support. The Germans were very active all day with their artillery. Orders were received that the 2nd Bde with one battalion each of the 1st and 3rd brigades would attack and capture the German trench in HIGH WOOD and to the east. At 4:45 pm, in conjunction with the 1st Northamptons on our left and the 2nd KRRC on our right, the battalion advanced to the attack, our objective being a portion of the trench WOOD LANE. In spite of very heavy artillery and M Gun fire, the attacking line, which consisted of "C" and "D" Coys advanced steadily and in splendid order, closely followed by "A" Coy, which was to form an outpost line in front, and "B" Coy which was to consolidate. "D" Coy secured its objective with few losses, "C" Coy on the left was less fortunate, suffering rather heavily from M Gun fire from HIGH WOOD. It entered the enemy trench, however with little difficulty. "A" Coy pushed through and advanced some distance in front of the captured line, accounting for several of the enemy who had run back. On our right the 60th Rifles gained their objective, but the Northamptons on our left were driven back by an intense fire. Thi sleft our flank exposed and a defensive flank was dug connecting the captured line with their original front line. By dark consolidation was well under way. Several prisoners were captured and one machine gun which was secured by the Battalion Scout Sergeant. Our casualties were as follows: Officers killed 2 Lieut Forder CF and Capt D'A Harvey, 2 Lieut GL Reade, 2 Lt WG Humphreys, 2 Lt JT CLarke, 2 Lt HE Coleman. Officers Wounded Captain FC Sawton, 2 Lt CA Collins, Capt H Wigston, 2 Lt Weber Brown Other Ranks 43 killed, 146 wounded, 59 missing, 4 wounded and missing. CWGC actually records a total of 101 killed so it seems likely the missing failed to return. 26 are buried in Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, 9 in other cemeteries and 65 have no known grave, being named on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.
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