Name
Charles William Francis
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
26/04/1915
31
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Rifleman
9654
Rifle Brigade
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 46, 48 and 50.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
All Saints Church, Datchworth, Roll of Honour, All Saints Church, Datchworth, Not on the Watton-at-Stone memorials
Pre War
Charles William Francis was born in in Bermondsey in 1885 to Charles Francis and Elizabeth (nee Allum). In 1891 he is shown as William, living with Parents and his father is a brewer’s drayman.
In 1901 he is shown in Bermondsey, with father Charles, a widower, who is still a brewer’s drayman. Charles occupation was listed as Moulding Engineer. In 1903 he joined the Rifle Brigade after first attesting for the Militia ( 3rd East Surreys) before then. By Jun 1903 after training he was posted to 4 Battalion Rifles. On 19 Sep 1904 he extended his service to 8 years. He served in India with 2 Battalion Rifles for 8 years until returning to UK in Jan 1914. He again extended his service on 27 Jun 1914 to 21 years while with 1 Rifles at Colchester.
In 1904 his father had remarried to Anna Roberts and by 1911 had moved, and is shown as the landlord of the Three Horseshoes at Hooks Cross, Datchworth, which accounts for Charles's appearance on that memorial, though, being in the Army, he probably didn't live there much. Perhaps being a drayman for so many years helped his father get the tenancy.
Wartime Service
On the outbreak of war the Rifle Brigade was mobilised and he arrived in France 23.08.1914, landing at Le Havre. 1 Rifles took part in the Battles of Le Cateau, Marne,Aisne, Messine and 2nd Ypres.
He was killed during the second battle of Ypres in April 1915.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £5 and pay of £25 5s 10d granted to his father Charles.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
June Colegrove, Adrian Pitts, Pat Bird
