Henry is listed as being killed in action on 30 Apr 1916 near St. Eloi. The war diary for the period 28th to 30th June is transcribed below along with a newspaper obituary.
War Diary
28th June 1916: Enemy exploded mine under left Company's (D Coy) outpost line, they entered the trench but were driven out. The mine exploded about 7.15pm.
29th April 1916: Two platoons of A Company supported by two platoons of B Coy were ordered to gain and consolidate near the lip of the crater of mine exploded on the 28th inst. The assault was made at 8.15pm after Artillery preparation, but owing to very heavy machine gun and rifle fire from crater no headway was made. A second attempt was made at 1.45am [on the 30th] with the same result. Killed 1 Officer [Henry], 7 other ranks. Missing 2 Other Ranks. Wounded 1 Officer and 42 Other Ranks.
30th April 1916: In accordance with instructions from G.O.C 7th Inf Bde that it was essential to gain and consolidate the near lip of a crater in front of left centre Company outpost line an assault was made by a party of 30 other ranks and one officer of C Company supported by 2 Lewis Guns. The enemy retired and the near lip was gained and consolidated. Wounded 6 Other Ranks Killed 1 Other Rank. END
Newspaper Obituary
Stratford-upon-Avon Herald Friday May 12th 1916
DEATH OF LIEUTENANT HENRY JENNINGS
Another name has to be added to the role of honour of the Stratford Grammar School, that of Henry Jennings son of Mr and Mrs Howard Jennings of the Teddington Rd, Jennings originally joined one of the City battalions but was successful in gaining a Commission and threw in his lot with the Worcestershire Regiment. Information that has come to hand shows at Jennings with an ideal officer beloved by his men and held in esteme by his brother officers.
One of his Stratford comrades, writing to the parents says: “he was killed about 3:00 AM on the morning of April 30th, and if anyone died like a hero he did. I will give you the details showing what magnificent work Henry did before he met with his end. The Germans exploded a mine on the evening of April 28th in our lines, which they obtained complete possession of, so an attack was ordered to be made on it the following morning. Henry was one of the officers chosen to take part in it. It turned out to be an impossible task, as the position they had to attack was a stronghold. Three times with indomitable courage Henry led the men over, and each time they were met with terrific gunfire and showers of bombs.
The first time Henry got to the tip of the mine crater with another man, but, of course, could not hold on as he had no support most of his men being casualties. The third time he and a few men got into a shallow trench just this side of the crater. But it was a hopeless position, and they were ordered to retire about 2:45 AM. It was after getting back from that last grand effort that Henry met his end. He was standing in the trench when a shell burst in front of him. Death was instantaneous. His name is on everyone's lips for the magnificent courage he showed all through that terrible business. I am sure his name will be recommended. We all deeply deplore the loss of a fine officer who made himself so popular with officers and men while he was with us”
Those who knew Henry Jennings will recall his fine manly figure, even when he won his races as a grammar school boy. But a boy when he enlisted he was just 21 when the cause of his King claimed him. From the very first day of war Henry had begged to be allowed to join up. There was no hanging back at the beginning and his end, tragic as it is to those who loved him, proved him to be a fine soldier and Englishman.
It is just three years ago that Jennings and three other boys from the old school R. Meadows, V.W Hyatt and T. Pilkington was stationed on the roof of the United Counties Bank and fired a volley, which formed a signal for releasing the national and empire flags at the Shakespeare Celebration. Two of the four boys have given their lives for King and Country.
