Military History

Francis is listed as dying of wounds at the 61st Casualty Clearing Station, Westvleteren on 15th October 1917. The 2nd Battalion Report on Operations for the period 9th to 11th October 1917 reveals that Francis was wounded in action in an attack on enemy lines near Brombeek. The section of the report covering 9th to 11th October is transcribed below.

At 5.20 a.m. [9th] the signal to start was given by an intense barrage of guns on the BROMBEEK, and of Stokes Mortars beyond the stream.

All four Companies went forward in formation, but well closed up to avoid the expected German barrage on PAMPOLE TRENCH, and got down to the edge of the stream in good time, but it was found to be impossible to carry the mats owing to the state of the ground, and so they were thrown away, some men crossed the stream on bridges and fallen trees, but the majority plunged in up to the waist and waded across. It was just at this moment that all the Germans holding their advanced posts rushed out to surrender, and went back through our lines, reaching Battalion Headquarters ten minutes after the commencement of the attack.

This put great heart into the men, and correcting all the miseries of the previous night, pushed forward in perfect lines, having reformed under the far bank of the BROMBEEK. It was found that the German opposition was the Battalion were the 6th Bavarian Infantry Regiment of the 6th Bavarian Division. They had just come into the line having completed the relief at 4 a.m., an hour and twenty minutes before the attack commenced, so they knew nothing about their front, and were completely surprised by our assault.

After crossing the BROMBEEK, the ground was much better going and quite firm. Nos. 1, 4 & 3 Companies reached their objective to time, viz: 5.12 a.m., without much difficulty as there were no serious obstacles in the shape of concrete blockhouses to overcome.

The barrage rested four minutes on the BROMBEEK, and then lifting one hundred yards remaining for six minutes, after that it moved slowly forward at the rate of 100 yards in six minutes, and rested 45 minutes on the first objective. From the first objective, it moved at 100 yards in eight minutes and rested on the second objective for 45 minutes. So the pace was very slow, and Companies had plenty of time to reform after crossing the stream, and if anything went wrong there was plenty of time to catch up the barrage again. Casualties began to occur from the first movement.

Lieut. A. J. SMITH had been killed during the night 7th/8th, and Lieut. P. H. G. HORTON-SMITH-HAMBY had assumed command of No. 3 Company.

Capt. The Hon. S. FEILDING was badly wounded, and died two days later, before reaching the BROMBEEK, and 2nd Lieut. L. W. GOULD was wounded soon after crossing the stream, and several men had fallen.

In advancing on the 1st objective, it was found that the barrage had successfully dealt with the enemy so called “Shell-Hole method” of defence, and the occupants had mostly been killed or wounded. A good many surrendered, and the remainder were running away. This was the cause of good many casualties, as the men composed a full of natives pressed on after them, and in some cases actually running, and got into our own barrage.

Just before reaching the 2nd objective, 2nd Lieut. T. I. LITTLETON was wounded as well as 2nd Lieut. A. MURRAY which now left 2nd Lieut. The Hon. D. S. BUXTON alone with No. 2 Company.

At 7 a.m. Nos. 2, 3 & 4 Companies deployed their leading line, and closing up the barrage passed through Nos. 1 & 3 Companies, we now digging in, and commenced to advance on the second objective. No. 4 Company had not much opposition, but No. 2 Company were confronted with a collection of blockhouses known as VER BEND, which looked like giving trouble, and were on the left company boundary. Just before reaching this position 2nd Lieut. D. S. BUXTON was wounded, and No. 2 Company being without an officer carried on to the second objective under their N.C.O.’s, until 2nd Lieut. F. H. BARTH took command of No. 2 Company.

Preparations were being made to outflank VER BEND, the German surrendering, and thirty five prisoners with three machine guns gave themselves up to Sergeant who had worked round the flank, so the advance was continued to the second objective which was reached at about 8.15 a.m. The line was consolidated under cover of the barrage, and three quarters of an hour afterwards the 3rd Bn. Coldstream Guards went through to take the third objective.

The total captures of the Battalion were found to be 1 officer, and about 100 Other Ranks, and ten machine guns, also a good many of the enemy had been killed or wounded.

In the evening of the 8th, Nos. 1 & 3 Companies were withdrawn from the line, and in the night 10th/11th Nos. 2 & 4 Companies were relieved.