Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

John Jennings was born at Timaru, the second son of Michael and Margaret (née Dwyer) Jennings. Born on 16 November 1890, he was baptized Roman Catholic at Timaru two weeks 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, Dennis 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, Dennis died in Australia in January 1918 following his war service, and James Jennings died in December 1907. Marian Coutts lived until March 1956, and John Jennings lived till May 1973. Dennis was educated at the Marist Brothers’ School at Timaru. John was probably the J. Jennings who represented the Marist Brothers at a football match at Oamaru on 22 August 1903. Perhaps he was playing for Pirates in 1906.

By 1914, John was a carpenter in Christchurch, living just a few doors away from Margaret Whittington and her parents. He was listed on 1916 Reserve Roll at that address (261 Tuam Street). John Joseph Jennings married Margaret Jane Whittington on 11 April 1917. When the Second Canterbury Military Board met on 28 September 1917, John Joseph Jennings, carpenter, of 187, Hill’s Road, St Albans, who had married in April, but had not enlisted previously, asked for time to settle up home affairs. He was allowed until November 12. His name had been dawn in the Tenth Ballot - for filling the shortages in the drafts for the 34th and 35th Reinforcements - at the beginning of September. John was medically examined at Christchurch by the travelling Medical Board on 10 September 1917. He stood at 5 feet 9 inches, weighed 109 pounds, and had a chest measurement of 35-40 inches, a fair complexion, clue eyes and fair hair. His sight, hearing, colour vision, heart & lungs were all normal, his limbs and chest well formed. He was free from diseases, vaccinated and in good bodily and mental health. He stated that he suffered from nervous breakdowns and giddy attacks; and that he had a history of injury to his right knee, but there was no apparent defect, and he was said to exaggerate his condition. He was assessed Class C1 (likely to become fit for service overseas after special training). He attested at Christchurch that same day. He had previously served with the 2nd South Canterbury Regiment until his time expired and he had registered for compulsory military training at Timaru.

On 19 November 1917, a draft of men went up to Wellington from Christchurch, to undergo their course in the CI special training camp. There were in all 42 men from Christchurch and 12 from North Canterbury, including J. J. Jennings. The men were paraded at the King Edward Barracks, where they were inspected. “In bidding the men farewell and Godspeed on behalf of the citizens of Christchurch, the Mayor referred to the story in yesterday’s papers of the reservist who had been frightened to proceed to camp owing to the stories told him of bad food and conditions, and the dire punishment that was meted out to deserters. Mr Holland impressed on his hearers that he had been in the camps, and such stories were utterly absurd. He also touched on the financial difficulties some of the men now going to camp might be in. He had heard of one man selling a £100 Government bond for £50 to relieve himself of certain difficulties, and he urged that should any man find himself in straits, he should at once let his position be known, and the Patriotic Societies would come to his assistance.” At the Mayor’s call three cheers were given for the departing men, who were then marched to the station, headed by the B.H S. Cadet Band. On 19 November 1917, Private Jennings was posted to A Company C1, then transferred to D Company 39th Reinforcements on 13 March 1918, that being altered to 38th Reinforcements on 27 April. A son (Dennis James Jennings) had been born to John and Margaret on 30 January 1918. His name was surely a tribute to John’s brother Denis (Dennis) who had died on 22 January 1918.

John Joseph Jennings attested again on 13 May 1918 at Trentham. A carpenter, married and Roman Catholic, he named his wife as next-of-kin – Mrs M. J. Jennings, 271 Tuam Street, Christchurch. Private J. J. Jennings embarked with the 38th Reinforcements, departing from Wellington per the “Remuera” (Troopship 105) on 5 June 1918. Disembarking at Liverpool on 31 July, he marched into Sling the next day and was posted to the Canterbury Infantry Regiment. He proceeded overseas to France on 10 October 1918, marched into camp at Etaples on 13 October and joined his Battalion – 2nd Battalion, Canterbury Regiment - on 17 October. Having been attached to the New Zealand Infantry and General Base Depot at Etaples on 1 December 1918, he joined No. 2 NZ Area Employment Company on 9 December. Detached to the Uk on 26 March 1919, Jennings marched into the Canterbury Provincial Depot at Sling Camp (awaiting a ship home). He embarked for the return to New Zealand in London on 8 June 1919 per the “Chupra”, arriving on 28 July 1919.

He was discharged on 25 August 1919, on the termination of his period of engagement, and was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He had served overseas, in Western Europe, for just over a year. At the November 1919 meeting of the Canterbury Land Board, there was a big number of applications under the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Act, including that of J. J. Jennings. John and Margaret were still at her family home in 1919 and 1922, John a carpenter. Subsequently they lived at various addresses in Christchurch. Two more children were born – Natalie Josephine in 1923 and John Clifford in 1927. On 4 April 1923, Mr J. Jennings, 71 Tuam Street, Christchurch, wrote on behalf of his mother asking re his brother Denis’ Pension.

John Joseph Jennings died at Christchurch on 26 May 1973, aged 82 years. His next-of-kin at death was Miss N. J. Jennings – his daughter, Natalie Josephine. Following a Requiem Mass, he was buried at Memorial Park Cemetery in a Services Grave alongside his wife Margaret Jane who had died on 8 April 1960. He was survived by his two sons and his daughter, two daughters-in-law and a grandson. 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.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database […]; 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; 20 December 2025]; Timaru Herald, 25 February 1880, 22 August 1903, 22 & 31 May 1906, 26 June 1906, 13 September 1906, 4 November 1919, Sun, 3 & 28 September 1917, Star, 3 & 28 September 1917, 20 November 1917, 3 July 1919, Press, 4 & 29 September 1917, 20 November 1917, 4 July 1919, 1 November 1919, 11 April 1960, 28 & 29 May 1973, Lyttelton Times, 4 & 29 September 1917, NZ Times, 4 July 1919 (Papers Past) [20 & 21 December 2025]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

No documents available. 

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC Genealogy Society

Currently Assigned to

TS