Walter James JENNINGS

JENNINGS, Walter James

Service Number: 4831
Enlisted: 16 October 1915, Holsworthy, New South Wales
Last Rank: Private
Last Unit: 55th Infantry Battalion
Born: Redfern, New South Wales, Australia, 11 April 1894
Home Town: Annandale, Leichhardt, New South Wales
Schooling: Leichardt Public School, New South Wales, Australia
Occupation: Wood Machinist
Died: Killed in Action, Fromelles, France, 20 July 1916, aged 22 years
Cemetery: No known grave - "Known Unto God"
Memorials: Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, V.C. Corner Australian Cemetery Memorial
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World War 1 Service

16 Oct 1915: Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 4831, Depot Battalion , Holsworthy, New South Wales
8 Mar 1916: Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 4831, 3rd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Star of England, Sydney
8 Mar 1916: Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 4831, 3rd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '7' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Star of England embarkation_ship_number: A15 public_note: ''
21 Apr 1916: Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 55th Infantry Battalion, T.O.S. from 3rd Infantry Battalion
19 Jun 1916: Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 4831, 55th Infantry Battalion, Embarked Alexandria for B.E.F per H.M.T. "Caledonian"
29 Jun 1916: Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 4831, 55th Infantry Battalion, Disembarked Marseilles, France
19 Jul 1916: Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 4831, 55th Infantry Battalion, Fromelles (Fleurbaix)
20 Jul 1916: Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 4831, 55th Infantry Battalion, Fromelles (Fleurbaix), Killed In Action
20 Jul 1916: Involvement Private, 4831, 55th Infantry Battalion, Fromelles (Fleurbaix), --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 4831 awm_unit: 55th Australian Infantry Battalion awm_rank: Private awm_died_date: 1916-07-20

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Biography contributed by Stephen Brooks

The son of Anne Hadden Jennings, of 47, Charles St., Petersham, New South Wales. His father George had passed away during 1913.

Walter transferred to the 55th Battalion during early 1916 and fought at the Battle of Fromelles. Several eye witnesses stated he was blown up and killed instantly by a shell fire during the attack.

His brother, 1370 Pte. John Inglis Jennings 2nd Battalion AIF, was killed in action only a few days later at Pozieres on the 23 July 1916, aged 24.

The following article appeared in the Sydney Sun 16 August 1916.

“Mrs. A. Jennings has been advised that her son, Walter James Jennings, was killed in action on July 20. Prior to enlisting he was employed by Anthony Hordern and Sons. Mrs. Jennings has three other sons on active service, George, who has been invalided home from Gallipoli, and Jack and Robert, who are now in France. Jack was wounded in the Gallipoli landing, then again in the Lone Pine charge on August 6. The fifth and youngest son volunteered, but was too young to be accepted, being still under 15 years old!”

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