Harrogate Herald – 25th April 1917
Mr Jennings, [John B Jennings,
Knockwinnock, 6 Langcliffe Avenue] of 6 Langcliffe Avenue,
Harrogate, received the following telegram on Saturday :
War Office, London, SW, April 21st, 1917 - The
Military Secretary presents his compliments to Mr Jennings,
and begs to inform him that he following report has just been
received : Lieutenant T N
Jennings, RFC, 4 Balloon Wing, was admitted to No 8 General
Hospital, Rouen, April 19th, with shock, injury right ankle, burns;
wounded slight. Any further report will be sent when received.
Mr and Mrs Jennings afterwards received the
following letter from their son, which modestly explains a highly
dangerous, but exciting experience :
No 8 General Hospital, 6 Ward, Rouen
April 20th, 1917
My dear Mother and father, I suppose you will have
received the War Office wire saying I have been wounded and sent to
the base suffering from shock. I must thank God I am alive. I was up
in the balloon alone when suddenly a Hun plane dived from the clouds
and came straight for me, firing his machine gun into the balloon.
He succeeded in setting the balloon on fire, but before he did so I
got away in my parachute. I landed rather heavily, causing damage to
my right ankle. I have also burns on my face and hands, which will
get perfectly well in time. I certainly thought was a dead man, and
I was perfectly conscious the whole time. I am a stretcher case. I
shall be in Blighty in a day or two. I should like to see you both.
I will write from hospital in town directly I am settled. It is a
consolation to know the Hun who attacked me was brought down by
anti-aircraft guns. Love to all. Your affectionate son, Tom
His major writes :
France, April 16, 1917
Dear Sir, Today, while your son was up in the
balloon, he was attacked by a Bosche airman, who, after four
attacks, succeeded in setting the balloon on fire. I am awfully
pleased to be able to tell you, however, that beyond shock and a
slightly burnt hand and face, Lieutenant Jennings escaped
serious damage. He fell with the burning balloon, but luckily
dropped on some trees, which broke the fall. I sent him off to
hospital at once, and thought I would let you know, as he may not be
feeling fit enough to write for a day or two. You need not worry, as
the medical officer states that beyond a little shock he escaped all
right. Everyone here (15th Balloon Company) is delighted that he
escaped so luckily.
Yours sincerely, Eric B Broughton, Major, Royal
Flying Corps.
Mr and Mrs Jennings have four other boys,
besides the Lieutenant, serving in France.
Harrogate Herald - 2nd May 1917
Photo Page
Lieutenant T N Jennings, RFC, Balloon Wing. Son of Mr
and Mrs J B Jennings, of 6 Langcliffe Avenue, [John B
Jennings, Knockwinnock, 6 Langcliffe Avenue] Harrogate, was
admitted to No 8 General Hospital, Rouen, on April 19th, with shock,
injury right ankle, burns, wounded slight.
