168702, Private, Thomas JENNINGS
Aged 27
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Thomas "Speedy" Jennings, born in Gateshead, believed to be in Q4-1889 [Gateshead 10a:855] to Thomas and Mary Jennings [née CARR] of Heworth, Gateshead, Co Durham.
1891 census...Thomas [2] was living in Old Hall, Heworth, Gateshead with his father Thomas [39], labourer in chemical works;his mother Mary [36], and brother Bernard [6 months], all were born in Heworth. 1901 census...Thomas [13] was at 22 Wesley Square, Heworth with his parents and brother Bernard ( plus 3 boarders). His parents paid for his apprenticeship as a jockey in Newmarket, with John Watson at Palace House Stables, and later he was with Joe Butters at Kremlin Stables. 1911 census...Thomas [21] was at 14 Heath Terrace, Cheveley Road, Newmarket with his wife Florence Gertrude (b.31-5-1890)(née REYNOLDS) who he had married on 1st June 1910 in Newmarket. They later lived at 45 Stanley Road, Newmarket. Two children were born in Newmarket, Gilbert Harry (19 January 1912) and Norman Thomas (8 November 1913). Norman died in Newmarket in 1917. In 1920 Florence married Percy Glenister of 124 Queens Street. Rushden, Northants. |
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His attestation was on 6th March 1916 in Gateshead and he was mobilised in the 54th Durham Light Infantry Newcastle on Tyne on 8th August 1916 , giving his age
as 26 and 4 months and his address as 85 Askew Road, Gateshead on Tyne,occupation 'machine man'. He was transferred to the 7th Labour Battalion in April 1917
and went overseas (Folkestone to Boulogne) on 29th August 1917 and joined 148 Labour Company on 31st August. Having been gassed while taking horses up to the front, he was admitted to hospital on 16th November 1917,(22 General Hospital Dannes Camiers, about 5 miles north of Etaples on the coast road). His casualty form now has his occupation as Jockey. On another Army form in 1918, his wife's address was 104 York Street, Cambridge. His cause of death is given as Nephritis at 2.15 pm on 13th December 1917 His records are somewhat confused and badly burned, but sufficiently identify his Newmarket connections. |
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