JENNINGS, Thomas Sidney

Known as: 
Tucker
Rank: 
Corporal
Unit / Base: 
3 Commando
Regiment/Corps: 
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment
Service: 
Army
Number: 
5958758
Honours & Awards: 
Born: 
Monday, October 16, 1922
Died : 
December, 1993
Thomas Jennings MM 3 Commando
Corporal Thomas Jennings, known as Tucker, was awarded the Military Medal in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North West Europe [1].
Recommendation
On 6 July 1944 an attack of troop strength was launched by No.3 Commando against enemy holding out in Le Plein. This troop came under heavy and accurate fire from a well concealed enemy strong point whilst advancing up the main street as a result of which the Troop Commander was wounded and the Troop pinned down. An attempt to dislodge the enemy resulted in further casualties. Pte Jennings summed up the situation and called out that he would give covering fire. With supreme contempt for his own safety he advanced down the main street firing a bren gun from the hip. Almost immediately his water bottle was shot away by a burst of M.G. fire. Undismayed , he continued to advance firing from the hip and neutralised the enemy fire so effectively that his troop was able to bypass the enemy strong point and liquidate it. Pte Jennings' complete disregard for his own safety combined with the skill and accuracy he displayed under intensive fire from close range was largely responsible for the rapid capture of the objective. His courage from the date of landing and throughout the campaign has been in the highest of traditions of the service [2].
  • Post war member of the Commando Association from Garstang, Lancashire.
Sources
[1] London Gazette 36961, page 1181.
[2] National Archives file WO373/52/286.
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 98 (March 1994).
His grandson Paul Jennings.
 

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