Tower and Town, November 2025 (view the full edition)A Cricketer Gassed: David Jennings
Corporal David Jennings was born in Kentish Town around 1890. From a cricketing background, his father played for Devon County from 1892 to 1914. From 1905 till his death in 1938 he was coach and head groundsman at Marlborough College. In the 1911 census, David was living at 1 Elmswood Terrace, Marlborough. His occupation was listed as professional cricketer. In a family of nine, he was the oldest sibling, with ages spanning from 7-21. He answered the call to arms, enlisting in the 20th Depot (RE) Kent Fortress. In March 1915 he was promoted to Second Corporal and for 18 months worked on coastal defence and construction duties. He played cricket for the Army twice in 1917 at Lords Cricket ground. With Royal Engineers being essential for battlefield defences and construction, in February 1918 he was posted to France to the 206 Field Company (RE). In April 1918 the German Spring offensive began with a series of gas attacks in his sector. The unit war dairy stated: "8th. 3-5am. Heavy hostile gas bombardment which lasted until 7am. Sections worked as yesterday. 9th 6am. Heavy hostile gas and HE bombardment till 9am 10th. 19 ORs [other ranks] wounded (gas)" Corporal Jennings was one of 19 men of 206 Field Company who became casualties in the gas shell bombardment by Bienvillers, near Arras. He was evacuated to England and spent two months in hospital. Two weeks after his release he was admitted to St Mark's Military Hospital, Tunbridge Wells, with pleurisy. He died on 6 August 1918 with the death certificate listing cause of death as 'Gas Poisoning in France. 2. Double pleuropneumonia five weeks'. He is buried at the Victorian cemetery, Marlborough. |
The First World War saw cricket players suffer a disproportionate number of deaths (one in six who went to war) compared to other men who enlisted from a sporting background. At least 34 first-class players were killed from the 210 county players who served. One was David Jennings.