Basil Spencer JENNINGS

SEDBERGH SCHOOL ARCHIVES

(Courtesy of Sedbergh School Archive and Heritage Centre)

SEDBERGH SCHOOL REGISTER 1905

1524 – Jennings, Basil Spencer: (Mr. Fowler), born April 12th 1890; left April, 1907. Was in business in connection with limestone quarries. Great War:– Lieut., West Yorkshire Regt.; Died of wounds November 6th, 1915.

BRITISH REGIMENTS AT GALLIPOLI, by Ray Westlake (Pen & Sword Books Limited 1996)

6th (Service) Bn. Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own (Yorkshire Regiment)

NOVEMBER 1915
Battalion relieved 8th Duke of Wellington’s in front line (3rd) – Jephson’s Post, Green Lane, Green Knoll. Lieutenant H.S. Opp, killed, Lieutenant B.S. Jennings mortally wounded (5th). Second-Lieutenant W.J. Kirkwood killed from shelling (11th).

SEDBERGH SCHOOL ARCHIVES

(Courtesy of Sedbergh School Archive and Heritage Centre)

The Sedberghian. VOL. XXXVI. NO. 6. DECEMBER, 1915 – The Roll of Honour.

B.S. JENNINGS

2nd Lieut. 14th West Yorks. Regt.

(Died of wounds, November, 1915.

Basil Spencer Jennings (wrongly described in the Register as brother of J.H. and T.N. Jennings, and as being in Evans House) entered Hart House in May, 1905, and left in April, 1907. So short a stay had given him little opportunity of attaining very marked distinction in the School, but he was a boy of many friends, who always keen to do all he could for the House.

He was in Morocco when the war broke out, and returned as soon as possible to enlist in King Edward’s Horse. He received his commission in the 14th West Yorks. In Dec., 1914, and in Sept. of this year went out to the Dardanelles, where he was severely wounded in action on Nov. 7th, and died a few days later.

DE RUVIGNY'S ROLL OF HONOUR 1914-1918 - Part Two

JENNINGS, BASIL SPENCER, 2nd Lieut., 14th (Service) Battn. The Prince of Wales’s Own ( West Yorkshire Regt.), attd. 6th (Service) Bttn. Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own (Yorkshire Regt.), s. of the late Jonathan Sutcliffe Jennings, of Wilsden, Keighley, and Harrogate, by his wife Hannah Mary (Cononley Hall, Keighley), dau. of P.W. Spencer, Raygill, Lothersdale; b. Riddlesden, Keighley, co. York, 12 April 1890; educ. Balliol House School, Harrogate, and Sedbergh; was in business with Mr. P.W. Spencer, Limestone and Quarry Owner, Lothersdale, and was in Morocco when war broke out in Aug. 1914; immediately returned to England, and enlisted in King Edward’s Horse in Oct. 1914, transferred to the Infantry; was given a commission in the 14th West Yorkshire Regt. 22 Dec. 1914; went to the Dardanelles 1915, and died at Suvla 7 Nov. following, from wounds received in action while trying to save one of his men. Buried on the beach there. His Commanding Officer, Major H. Chapman wrote: “He was serving under my command, and was, on the night of 6 Nov., in charge of a party building and digging a new trench. One of his men was killed, and your son, thinking he might be only wounded, ran out across an open space under heavy fire and was wounded himself. I was there with him a few minutes afterwards. He was quite conscious and very cheerful, and the last I saw of him I had no thought of his not living. He was sent to hospital and died there the following day. He was one of the best and most gallant officers I had, and we all sympathize with you in your great loss.” A brother officer wrote: “We mourn the loss of a friend and an officer who was as popular with the men as he was considered competent by higher authorities,” and another: “None commanded more respect from his fellow officers, or more love from his men, than your son.” Unm.

England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966

1916

JENNINGS Basil Spencer of Cononley Hall Cononley near Keighley Yorkshire second lieutenant 14th battalion H.M. West Yorkshire regiment died 7 November 1915 at Suvla Bay Administration London 6 July to Roland Spencer Jennings worsted spinner. Effects £1798 7s. 3d.