Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Herbert, known as Bert was the third generation of market gardeners, growing fruit and vegetables at Ashton in the Adelaide Hills. He was born to William Alfred and Ethel Emily Jennings on the 31st December 1913 and was the fifth son in a large family. His siblings included Reginald, Francis Lave, Alfred, William Gordon (Bill), Max and a sister, Ruby.
Bert was just fourteen when his father died in April, ’28 from tetanus. It was speculated that William became infected when treating his horse which had a leg wound, but as usual went to market with his fresh produce. However, once there he complained of joint stiffness and was unable to open his mouth. Despite being taken to a private hospital William died three days later. It was a tragic time for the young family.
Bert was one of a group of local young men who would frequently spend a weekend away together, with Blanchetown being a popular destination. In later years, many of this group enlisted to serve in WWII. They included the Jennings brothers, Reg, Lave, Bert and Frank; Clem and Bruce Makings, Ron Gepp and Phil Osborne.
Herb’s mother, Ethel eventually re-married, becoming Mrs. Walton and moved to live at Percyton, now called Barunga Gap and near Snowtown in the mid-north. Bert took his fiancée, Sylvia Florence Osborne to his mother’s new home for a weekend visit in November ’37.
Bert and Sylvia married at St John’s Church in Norton Summit in May ’39. Bert chose his brother, Lave as his best man. Following their reception, the newly married couple honeymooned at popular Victor Harbour. Bert continued to work as a motor driver and on the family market garden until WWII caused an abrupt change to the lives of so many young men and their families. Aged 26, Bert enlisted in July ’40, followed by Ron Gepp a few days later. They were allocated the numbers SX6929 and SX7884 respectively with both being assigned to the newly formed 2/48th Battalion.
(The following year, Bert’s older brother, Reg became part of the Militia from March ’41 as S36622 and was eventually discharged at the end of the war in September ’42. A younger brother, Francis, known as Lave, also served in the Militia before enlisting as SX31589 and being posted to New Guinea. He was later discharged in January ’44.)
Together with other new enlistees, Bert’s early days were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds, before he headed back to the more familiar hills location at Woodside for preliminary training. Following a short pre-embarkation leave, the 2/48th Battalion, embarked on the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940 and disembarked on the 17th December. Unfortunately, Bert almost immediately contracted mumps, followed by enteritis at the end of December causing him to be hospitalised. A few months training was undertaken in Cyrenaica before Bert’s battalion headed to Tobruk at the start of April 1941 where the dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment were quite a challenge to these fresh new enlistees. Both Ashton men, Herb and Ron, were to become known as one of the famed Rats of Tobruk.
Within weeks of arriving, in the early days of April 18th, Bert was wounded in action with multiple, serious shrapnel wounds and died on the 23rd. At a similar time, 20 years old, William (Max) Hales SX8166 also died of wounds on the 22nd of April 1941. Both had been part of the frenetic fight for Carrier Hill, where they were seriously wounded as they charged with fixed bayonets. Seven others from the battalion were also wounded but were fortunate to recover. John Glenn in ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’ records how ‘our carriers next moved out to attend to the wounded and to pick up the discarded equipment.’ Of the wounded, one was Teddy Boxer, SX7528 who lost his leg in the fighting but by his quick thinking and a huge dose of good luck, survived.
Back home in May ’41, the Chronicle listed the names of those who had died of their wounds. From the 2/48th battalion, this included 20-year-old Private William (Max) Hales SX8166 from Roseberry and Bert, as well as the names of 29 wounded in action from his battalion. These included Pte. Laurence S. Baker, SX7282, Mambray Creek; Pte. Percival G. Bartholomew, SX7122, Narrung; Pte. Thomas Bell, SX8265, Snowtown; Joseph Buckley, SX8459, Albert Park, Vic; Pte. Robert W. Carvosso, SX7888, Glenelg; Pte. Ernest H. Chapman, SX7289, Koongawa; Pte. Ronald R. Collins, SX7163, Gulnare; Pte. M. G. Day. SX7434, Nairne; Pte. Harold W. Gass, SX7147, Mannum; Pte. Ronald A. Gepp, SX7884, Ashborne; Pte. Roy D. Goodes, SX6917. Cur ramulka; Pte. John Kennedy. SX7842, Adelaide; Lieut. Geoffrey D. Larkins, SX10332. St. Peters; Pte. Wilfred. J. Lewis, SX8856, Scott's Creek; Pte Henry O. Lohman. SX7771, Murray Bridge; Pte. Keith H. Pointon. SX7143. Prospect; Pte. Leonard G. Rex, SX7990, Colonel Light Gar dens; and Pte. Leonard J Rodda, SX7327, Moonta.
The June issue of the Advertiser carried a brief summary of Bert’s death ‘Private H. H. Jennings, who died of wounds abroad, on April 23 at the age of 28 years, was the son of Mrs. W. Walton, of Percyton, and the late W. A. Jennings, of Ashton, and husband of Sylvia Jennings. He enlisted in June, 1940. and went abroad in November.’ This was accompanied by a photo.
Bert was eventually buried in the Tobruk War Cemetery in Libya in Plot III Row M Grave 10. His family choose the poignant inscription for his headstone ‘Greater Love Hath No Man; He Gave His Life for his Friends’. He is interred alongside others from the 2/48th Battalion; Alfred Tanner SX7368, and W. Max Hales SX8166 both of whom died on the 22nd April.
His wife Sylvia and family continued to remember Bert in the ensuing years on the anniversary of his death.
Advertiser Thursday 23 April 1942, JENNINGS.—Dvr. late 2/48th Battalion.—Fondest memories of my beloved husband Herbert, who died of wounds at Tobruk 23/4/41. I think of you in silence, dearest. With grief that is deep and true: There is always that sad longing, Could I only speak to you. What would I give your hand to clasp, Your dear, loving face to see: And hear you call, "Where are you, Sylv?" As you did In days that used to be. —Lovingly remembered by his wife. Sylvia. JENNINGS. H. H. —In loving memory of our dear brother, Bert, who died of wounds received In action at Tobruk. 23/4/41. Although your grave is far away, In our memories you are always near. —Sadly missed by Reg. A.I.F.. and Lave (on active service). JENNINGS. In loving memory of dear Bert, late 2/48th Batt. who died of wounds at Tobruk. April 23. 1941. Beneath the cross of sacrifice, Within a silent grave: His comrades laid him down to rest. Among the honored brave. —Ever remembered by his brother Alf. sister-in-law Edna, and nephew John. JENNINGS.—In loving memory of our dear son and brother. Bert, 2nd/48th died of wounds at Tobruk on April 23. 1941. Deep In our hearts a memory is kept Of one we loved and will never forget. —Ever remembered by his mother. Max and Lorna, Percyton. JENNINGS.—In loving memory of our brother-in-law, Bert, who died of wounds at Tobruk. on April 23, 1941. Ever remembered. —Inserted by Dulce and Mick. JENNINGS.—In loving memory of Bert, 2nd 48th who died of wounds on April 23. 1941. at Tobruk. "At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember him."—Ever remembered by Gert and Reg. JENNINGS.—In loving memory of Bert, who died of wounds at Tobruk on April 23. 1941. His job was one big sacrifice. His heart was true and tender: He gave his life to those he loved. Then left us to remember. —Ever remembered by his brother and sister-in-law. Bill and Lil and little Judith. JENNINGS. Herbert. — In loving memory of our dear, affectionate brother and uncle (Bert), who died of wounds on April 23. 1941. A silent thought brings many a tear Of a brother we miss, and loved so dear: For we who loved, so truly know How much we lost a year ago. —Inserted by his loving sister Ruby, brother-in-law Alf and children, Ashton. JENNINGS.—In loving memory of our brother-in-law. Uncle Herbert. 2nd A.1.F.. who died of wounds abroad on April 23. 1941. Thoughts drift back to bygone days. Life moves on. but memories stay. —Always remembered by Nell, Van, and family.
Advertiser Saturday 22 April 1944, JENNINGS. Herbert H. late 2/48th. Fond memories of my dear husband, who made the supreme sacrifice at Tobruk. April 23. 1941. Not Just today, but every day, In silence I remember. —Inserted by his wife, Sylvia. JENNINGS.—In loving memory of my dear son. Bert, died of wounds at Tobruk. April 23. 1941. The ones that loved you best, miss you most.—Always remembered by your loving mother. JENNINGS. H. H.—Loving memories of our dear brother and Uncle Bert, died of wounds at Tobruk. 1941.—Always remembered by bis loving sister Ruby. Alf and children. JENNINGS.—A tribute of love and remembrance to Bert, died of wounds. Tobruk, April 23, 1941. Memories are greater than words. —Always remembered. Lave and Reg. JENNINGS.—A loving tribute to the memory of Bert, died of wounds. Tobruk, April 23 1941.—Ever remembered by his brothers. Alf, Bill, Max and families.
Advertiser Monday 23 April 1945, JENNINGS, Herbert, late 2/48th Loving memories of my husband, who made the supreme sacrifice at Tobruk 23/4/41. To live in the hearts of those we love is not to die. —Ever remembered by Sylvia. JENNINGS, Herbert Henry. SX6929. 2/48th In loving memory of my dear son. Bert, died at Tobruk. 1941. There's a face that is always with me. A voice I long to hear, A smile I’ll always remember, A memory precious and dear. Inserted by his loving mother JENNINGS, H. H. 2nd/48th Battalion, In loving memory of Bert, died of wounds, Tobruk, April 23. 1941.—Forever remembered by his brothers. Alf, Bill, Max and family. JENNINGS. H. H. 2nd/48th Battalion. —In loving memory of dear Bert, died of wounds, Tobruk, April 23. 1941—Ever remembered by his sister Ruby. Alf and family. JENNINGS, H. H, Pte. SX6929. 2/48th Bat.—ln loving memory of dear brother Bert, died of wounds. Tobruk, April 23. Deep in out hearts a memory Is kept Of one we loved and will never forget. Ever remembered by loving brothers Reg and Lave.
Advertiser Tuesday 23 April 1946, JENNINGS, Herbert, late 2/48th. In loving memory of my dear husband, who died at Tobruk on April 23, 1941. The years may dawn and pass away, but loving memories always stay. —Ever remembered by Sylvia.
Advertiser Wednesday 23 April 1947, JENNINGS, H. H.—Loving memories of our dear brother and uncle Bert, died of wounds at Tobruk, 1941. —Always remembered by his loving sister Ruby, Alf and children. JENNINGS.—In loving memory of my brother Bert, died of wounds April 23, 1941. 2/48th Btn. A tender chord of memory is softly touched today.— Inserted by his loving brother Lave. JENNINGS.—In loving memory of dear Bert, died result of wounds at Tobruk, April 23, 1941 Forever remembered.— Alf Edna and John. JENNINGS, Herbert. —Loving memories of my dear husband, who passed away at Tobruk on April 23, 1941.—Ever remembered by Sylvia. JENNINGS.—In loving memory of my dear son Bert, 2/48th died at Tobruk, April 23, 1941. Years may dawn and fade away, but loving memories always stay.—Ever remembered by his mother.
Advertiser Friday 23 April 1948, JENNINGS, Herbert H., 2/48th —In loving memory of my dear son Bert, died at Tobruk, April 23, 1941. In the garden of memories you are always with us.—Ever remembered by his mother. JENNINGS. —Loving memories of dear Bert, who died at Tobruk, April 23, 1941.—Always remembered by his wife Sylvia. JENNINGS. —In loving memory of our dear brother and Uncle Bert, died of wounds at Tobruk, April 23, 1941.—Always remembered by his loving sister Ruby, Alf and children. JENNINGS.—In loving memory of our brother Bert, died of wounds, Tobruk, April 23, 1941.— Always remembered by Reg. and Lave.
Advertiser Saturday 23 April 1949, JENNINGS.—Loving memories of my dear brother and Uncle Bert, died of wounds at Tobruk, April 23, 1941. —Always longed for by loving sister Ruby, Alf and children. JENNINGS.—Fond memories of my dear husband Bert, who died at Tobruk, 1941. Your memory I will always keep. —Ever remembered by Sylvia.
Advertiser Saturday 22 April 1950, JENNINGS.—In fond remembrance of Bert, passed away at Tobruk.— Forever remembered by Alf, Edna and John. JENNINGS.—Loving thoughts of my dear husband Bert, who died at Tobruk, 1941.—Ever remembered by Sylvia. JENNINGS, H. H.—Loving memories of my dear brother Bert, died of wounds, at Tobruk, April 23, 1941. —Always remembered by his loving sister Ruby. JENNINGS, 2/48th In loving memory of my dear son Bert, died of wounds at Tobruk, April 23, 1941.— Remembered always and sadly missed by his loving mother.
Advertiser Monday 23 April 1951, JENNINGS.—Fond thoughts of dear Bert, died at Tobruk, 1941. Memories ever stay.—Inserted by loving wife Sylvia. JENNINGS, H. H., 2/48th. In loving memory of my dear son Bert, died at Tobruk, 1941. Love and remembrance never die As days pass on and years roll by. —Ever remembered by his loving mother. JENNINGS, H. H.—Loving memories of my dear brother Bert, died of wounds at Tobruk, April 23, 1941. —Always remembered by his loving sister Ruby and family.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.