Military History

Francis is listed as being killed in action on 29 April 1917, having been initially reported missing, he remained missing for some time as in July 1917 his family wrote to the Red Cross seeking his whereabouts. Francis's remains were eventually at Map Reference 51B.I.7.b.1.5. The 11th Battalion (see above) war diary for

SSE of Gavrelle - 28.4.17 - 4.20am: Battn in position to attack Greenland Hill - Front line D Coy right and B Coy left in Clasp Trench from 1.7.a.3 to I.7.a.7.0 in touch with 8th East Lancs on right and 42 Middlesex on left. Second line A Company right and C coy left in jumping off I.7.a.3.3 and I.7.a.4.0. Battn HQ at H.12.b.9.3.

Zero 4.25am Battn advanced. After going about 100 yds the right front Coy (D Coy) commenced to make a left incline with the object of filling a gap which had occured between us and the 6th Bdge on our left. B Coy conformed to this movement. As both the officers with the leading Coys became casualties immediately after, a few men lost direction and became mixed up with the 11th Bde. The remainder advanced but owing to the fact that all officers and senior NCO's, with the exception of two sergeants, were either killed or wounded the battn became very scattered. Detached parties with Lewis Guns occupied a general line 300-400 yds east of Cuba Trench overlapping 63rd Bde on the left and the remainder of this Bde (112th) on the right. Battn remained in this position until relieved by the 10th Argyle + Sutherland Highlanders just before daybreak on the 29th April.

SSE of Gavrelle - 29.4.17:Marched back to transport west of St. Nicholas. At 2pm Battalion embussed and proceeded to Denier & went into billets

Denier - 30.4.17: Battalion rested