Hubert Jennings
Name: Hubert Roy Jennings
Rank: Corporal
Service No: 1052
Unit Served: 16th Battalion - 48th Battalion
Personal Details:
Hubert was born in Goodwood SA, during December 1894. Hubert’s parents were Elizabeth and Alfred Jennings and he lived with them at St Georges Place, Alberton. He attended the Alberton Model School. Hubert was a driver for 2 yrs working for W. Gibb and Sons. Hubert was 5ft 4in, had grey coloured eyes and weighed 150lbs, chest 34 inches, dark brown hair and his complexion was fresh.
Military service:
Hubert enlisted on the 12th September 1914 at the age of 19 and 10 months, joining the 16th Battalion which was a combination of recruits from WA and SA. They embarked on Boxing Day 1914 arriving in early February 1915. The 16 Battalion was part of the 4th Brigade. Hubert as a member of the 16th Battalion landed at Anzac late in the afternoon of 25th April 1915. A week after the landing the 16th was thrown into the Bloody Angle. From May to August the Battalion was heavily involved in establishing and defending the front line of the ANZAC beachhead and in August the 4th Brigade attached Hill 971. It was during this attack the Hubert was wounded on the 11th August being evacuated to Imbros (Turkish Island) and later being admitted to Mudros (comprised a small Greek port on the Mediterranean island of Lemnos) on 30th August 1915. He rejoined with his Battalion and ANZAC Cove on the 15th September 1915. Hubert was promoted to Lance Corporal on the 23rd November 1915.
The 16th Battalion serviced at ANZAC until the evacuation in December. Hubert with the 16th Battalion disbarked in Mudros on December 30th 1915. Hubert had been in Gallipoli for the entire campaign. As part of the 16th Battalion, Hubert returned to Egypt. For a period of 75 days, from 5th February to 18th April, Hubert was not paid due to him spending time in isolation due to a disease contracted in Egypt.
On the 26th April 1916, the 16th Battalion was split and provided experienced soldiers for the 48th Battalion. In June 1916 the 48th Battalion sailed for France and the Western Front. He disembarked at Marseilles on the 9th June1916. The battalion’s first major action in France was at Pozieres in the Somme Valley. Hubert was promoted to Corporal on the 21st July 1916.
On the 6th August 1916, whilst fighting somewhere near Pozieres, Hubert was reported as wounded in action. Until June 1917, Hubert’s parents continued trying to find where their son was however on the 4th May 1917 he was determined to be killed in action. Although his body was never found, on 31st July 1917, Hubert’s personal belongings were sent home and this included 4 knives, metal chain, pipes, comb, 2 religious books, cards, letters, Military Book, brush, fountain pen, cigarette lighter, souvenir brooch, stud, button, badge and 2 ID disks (1 blank).
Date of Death: 6th August 1916
Age at death: 21
Memorial: Villers – Bretonneux Memorial
Image from the "Daily Herald" 7th June 1917 sourced through Trove
