Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Dennis (Denis) Jennings was born at Timaru, the second son of Michael and Margaret (née Dwyer) Jennings. Born on 20 October 1887, he was baptized Roman Catholic at Timaru ten days later. Michael and Margaret who had married in 1877 in Tipperary, Ireland, sailed from Plymouth, England by the “Westland” in November 1879 and arrived in New Zealand in February 1880 with two one-year-old daughters (Mary and Bridget) – immigrants for Timaru. Another daughter (Catherine/Kate) was born in August 1881 at Timaru, followed by four sons – Michael, Dennis, James and John. Two daughters (Bridget and Kate) and three sons (Michael, Denis and James) were to predecease the parents. Margaret Jennings died at Timaru in July 1930 and Michael in July 1942. Bridget McCormick died in January 1902, Kate Osburn died in September 1920, Michael Jennings (junior) died in May 1908, James Jennings died in December 1907, while Dennis died in January 1918 following his war service. Marian Coutts lived until March 1956 and John Jennings who also served in World War One, lived till May 1973. Dennis was educated at the Marist Brothers’ School at Timaru. D. Jennings represented the Old Boys in a football match against the High School Second in late July 1903, playing in the forwards, with his older brother Michael in the backs. The Timaru Pigeon Flying Club got off a race from Oamaru for a Club trophy in May 1904. Twenty birds, representing ten owners, were liberated at the Oamaru railway station. Among the birds timed in was D. Jennings’ Cheatress. At the second annual smoke concert of the South End Cricket Club in July 1906, the prizes won in the previous season were distributed, D. Jennings winning the gold medal for most improved cricketer. At the annual meeting of the South End Cricket Club in September, he received the prize for most improved cricketer and was elected to the committee. Just a couple of months later, he played for a combined cricket team representing the Canterbury Farmers’ Co-operative Association and J. Ballantyne and Co. in a friendly match. By November 1906 the South End teams had been disbanded. Denis was at home (Baker Street, Timaru) with his family in 1911 and a tailor.

Denis went to Australia in about 1911 or possibly even earlier. On 25 October 1909, Mr C. W. Wood returned from a health-seeking holiday in Australia, In Sydney he had met some former Timaruvians, including Mr D. Jennings. On 31 December 1916, he enlisted for Service Abroad with the Australian Imperial Force. He was 29 years two months old, single, of Church of England affiliation, and a tailor, having served an apprenticeship with J. Ballantyne, Timaru. He named his mother as next-of-kin – Margarita Jennings, 21 Baker Street, Timaru, New Zealand. His father, Michael Jennings of the same address, was also named. Denis’ address was 9 Norfolk Street, Paddington, Sydney.

On 31 December 1916 at Sydney, New South Wales, Denis Jennings swore - “I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lord the King in the Australian Imperial Force from 31/12/16 until the end of the War, and a further period of four months thereafter unless sooner lawfully discharged, dismissed, or removed therefrom; and that I will resist His Majesty’s enemies and cause His Majesty’s peace to be kept and maintained; and that I will in all matters appertaining to my service, faithfully discharge my duty according to law.” He was medically examined the same day at the Victoria Barracks, NSW. He was 5 feet 11½ inches tall, weighed 142 pounds, and had a chest measurement of 33-36½ inches. His complexion was fair, his eyes grey and his hair dark. He had moles on his right clavicle, 3 moles on the left side of his body, and a wart on the left side of his neck. He was free of any diseases and deformities. He could see the required distance with either eye. His heart and lungs were healthy. He had the free use of his joints and limbs. He was free of all diseases and defects which may have rendered him unfit for the duties of a soldier. He declared that he was not subject to fits of any description. Thus, he was fit for Active Service. Private D. Jennings’ service commenced on 15 January 1917. On 17 January 1917 at Liverpool, his Attestation was certified correct and he was appointed to the 9th Reinforcements 53rd Battalion.

Private Jennings embarked with the 19/20th Reinforcements 63rd Battalion at Sydney per the “Wiltshire” on 8 February 1917. Disembarking at Devonport on 11 April 1917, he marched into the 5th Training Battalion at Rollestone and was taken on Strength on 28 April 1917. Admitted to Brigade Hospital at Perham Down on 8 May 1917, suffering from acute tuberculosis and broncho pneumonia, he was discharged the next day and transferred to Tidworth Military Hospital. A Medical Report carried out at Tidworth Military Hospital on 14 May 1917, stated Jennings’ disability originated about 1 April 1917 at Rollestone Camp. “Patient stated that except for a slight cough caught on the boat coming from Australia in March 1917 he has always been healthy. At the beginning of April caught a cold which got worse. No haemoptysis. No sleep sweats. Has lost weight. No family history of phthisis.” His disability was, therefore, caused by a chill caught on Active Service. He was discharged from Tidworth to Weymouth on 1 June, but admitted to hospital, sick, a week later. The report on his condition read – “thin-looking man. Hectic flush on cheeks. Wasted appearance. Bad cough . . . . TB found in sputum. Temperature varies . . . . Sleep sweats. Chest expands fairly evenly & well. Is poorly covered. No definite physical signs could be discovered.” It was recommended that he be discharged as permanently unfit. His disability was the result of climate, due to severe English winter. He was considered permanently unfit for General Service and for Home Service. He was totally incapacitated as regards to earning a full livelihood.

Brief remarks were recorded at Plymouth on 21 July 1917 – Very thin & emaciated. Feeling very weak. Suffered a good deal from effort of voyage at first, last two weeks has improved slightly . . . . . 679 Private Denis Jennings left England on 21 July 1917 for return to Australia and discharge per the Transport “Euripides”, arriving at Sydney on 18 September 1917. He was suffering from TB of the lung – chronic bronchitis and asthma. 20 October 1917, “This man has active Tuberculosis of Lungs. Found too ill to be sent to Boddington. Sputum positive for T.B. For North Head.” He had been considered a suitable case for Boddington where treatment was recommended. Classification E (Permanent Military incapacity) was deferred until 20 November 1917.

Denis Jennings died at the North Head Military Hospital, Quarantine Station, Manly on 22 January 1918, aged 30 years. His parents received word of his death very quickly, a notice appearing in the Timaru Herald of 24 January. He had surely died in the very early hours of the 22nd as a notice appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald on that day – “On Active Service – JENNINGS. In loving memory of my dearly loved friend, Private Denis Jennings, late 20th Batt., died January 22, 1918. Deeply mourned. Inserted by his loving friend, Ida Coupland.” In the funeral notice, Denis was named as Ida’s beloved fiancée. His death was caused by Cardiac Failure Pulmonary Tuberculosis – sudden, 12 months. His funeral moved from the Funeral Directors Private Mortuary Chambers. He was buried in the Church of England Cemetery at Waverley, a Church of England minister conducting the burial. On 2 February, Ida inserted a Thanks notice, expressing her thanks to the Capt-Chaplain, Lieut and men of the 20th Reinforcement, the Matron and staff of the hospital, and also kind friends and relatives for floral tributes, cards, telegrams and letters of sympathy. A telegram sent to the Department of Defence read – “Regret report death North Head hospital of tuberculosis 22/1/18 Number 6679 Pte Denis Jennings 63rd battn. Next of kin has been informed.” His headstone, however, is inscribed with the 20 Battalion and bears the insignia of the A.I.F. Interestingly, his death was registered in both New South Wales and New Zealand.

A letter sent by Michael Jennings, 24 Baker Street, Timaru, in May 1917, regarding the personal belongings of his son, No. 6679, Private D. Jennings, 19th Reinforcements, 20th Battalion, AIF, was referred to the Victoria Barracks, Melbourne. “. . . by doing so you would greatly oblige his Mother & myself.” The reply later in the month stated that the Department was not in possession of any personal effects belonging to No. 6679, Private D. Jennings, who, according to the records, was still on active service with the Australian Imperial Force. “He would probably have his belongings with him.” Perhaps there was a misunderstanding when Denis was admitted to hospital. Or in passing on the letter, the authorities inserted “late” before son.

In July 1918, Ida Coupland, Kensington, NSW, contacted the Officer in Charge, Base Records, Melbourne, with regard to the whereabouts of the Will of the late 6679 Private Denis Jennings. Denis had said that he had made a Will with the military whilst in camp at Liverpool. Ida was the allottee and was anxious to have the matter fixed as soon as possible. No Will could be found, however. On 12 August 1921, the British War Medal, on account of the services of the late No. 6679, Private D. Jennings, 20th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, was transmitted to Mr M. Jennings, 24 Baker Street, Timaru, New Zealand. Mrs Jennings acknowledged receipt of same. In April 1923, Mrs M. Jennings (next-of-kin) advised her change of address – No. 21 Baker Street. She duly received the Memorial Scroll and King’s Message, the Memorial Plaque having been sent to Mr Jennings. On 4 April 1923, Mr J. Jennings, 71 Tuam Street, Christchurch, wrote on behalf of his mother asking re Pension. His letter was referred. This was Denis’ brother, John, who served with the New Zealand Forces in World War One. James Charles Coutts, the son of Mary (Marion) Jennings, and Lester Alfred Osburn, the son of Catherine (Kate) Jennings, and both nephews of Denis and John, served in World War Two.

Denis Jennings is remembered on the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour (Panel 91). The WW1 Death Plaque (Deadman’s Penny), which was issued to the family of a soldier killed in the Great War 1914-18, belonging to Denis Jennings, a New Zealander who served in the Australian Forces, was offered for sale on Trade Me in New Zealand in August 2012. It was in very good order but did not sell.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [26 April 2015]; Australian Military Forces Attestation Paper (National Archives of Australia) [06 September 2013, 16 November 2013]; CWGC [27 September 2013]; Timaru Herald, 25 February 1880, 29 July 1903, 11 May 1904, 26 July 1906, 26 September 1906, 15 November 1906, , 26 October 1909, 24 January 1918 [x 2] (Papers Past) [24 November 2013; 25 August 2014; 03 October 2015]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [02 October 2015]; Christchurch Diocese Roman Catholic Baptisms Index (CD Held by South Canterbury Branch NZSG) [04 October 2015]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [03 October 2015]; Sydney, Australia Headstone Transcription (per ancestry.com.au) [16 December 2025]; Waverley Cemetery, NSW headstone image (Find A Grave) [16 December 2025]; The Sydney Morning Herald, 18 September 1917, 22, 23 & 24 January 1918, 2 February 1918, The Daily Telegraph (Sydney), 24 January 1924 (Trove) [19 December 2025]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record

Related Documents

No documents available. 

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC Genealogy Society

Currently Assigned to

TS