Private William Jennings, 1/5th West Yorks, whose home is at New Park, Harrogate, was killed on Sunday Evening. The sad news was only received by his mother yesterday morning, in a letter from Captain J C Peters, which was as follows :

26th July
Dear Madam, I very deeply regret to tell you that your son, Private W Jennings, was killed in the trenches last night (Sunday). We all appreciate what sorrow this will mean for you, and both officers and men of his company wish to express their deepest sympathy with you. He was most popular with his comrades, who are dreadfully sorry to lose him. He was absolutely fearless, too, and always willing and cheerful. He will be sorely missed by us all.
We were just leaving he trenches at the time, after a strenuous six days, for a well-earned rest, and your son was pacing up his equipment to be ready. He was in a dangerous place, and must have been seen by a German sniper, as he was hit in the head and died instantly. It may perhaps be some consolation to you to know that he cannot possibly have suffered any pain.
He was buried last night in a little cemetery behind our line of trenches, alongside other fallen comrades of the 1/5th West Yorks, some of them Harrogate men. Lieutenant Colonel Wood officiated at the simple service and his friends - Private Inman and Private Hunt, and his platoon officer, Lieutenant Ellison - were also present.
His personal belongings, including his pay-book, and a Will made in your favour, will reach you through the proper course. I can only conclude by adding my own expression of true sympathy, and the assurance that the brave fellows we lose in the regiment will jot be forgotten by us in years to come.
Believe me, yours very truly,
J C Peters, Captain

Before his enlistment in November last, Private Jennings was employed at Filey. He had also taken a keen interest in football in Harrogate, and had played with the Star of Hope team. The last letter received from him was written on the 6th, but a post-card written on the 19th was received yesterday.

[ Suspect this should be Wilfrid ]