10th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment
Richard William Jennings was born on 6 March 1889 in King’s Stanley, the son of the Reverend Arthur C Jennings.
He studied law at Cambridge and when war broke out he was due to commence a career as a solicitor, instead he enlisted in the Worcestershire Regiment.
He became a respected officer and was mentioned in dispatches. His division, the 19th Western, moved into the Somme area in June 1916 and on 3 July they commenced an attack to capture La Boiselle. During the attack Jennings was severely wounded at least four times.
A member of his company, Private Tom Turrall, remained with the mortally injured officer until, under cover of darkness, he was able to carry him over his shoulders out of No Man’s Land back to their trenches. Before his death, Jennings was able to give a full report on Turrall’s bravery, recommending him for the VC which was subsequently awarded.
Lieutenant Richard William Jennings is buried at the Military Cemetery at Meaulte. The Latin inscription on his headstone translates as: He was a volunteer, Distinguished by his gallantry, Beloved by all.