Name
Thomas Alfred Francis
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
09/04/1917
27
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
2863
Rifle Brigade
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ARRAS MEMORIAL
Bay 9.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour, St James' Church Memorial, Watford Fields
Pre War
Son of Emma (nee SMITH) FRANCIS of Watford, and the late William FRANCIS.
His parents married 18 November 1871 at St Mary’s, Horsham. William died 1907 in the Horsham district aged 62; Emma died in Watford aged 80, and was buried 26 February in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford.
Thomas was born 1889 in Shipley, Horsham, and baptised 30 June 1889 atSts Peter and Paul, Ashington, Sussex. He resided in Horsham.
On the 1891 Census, aged 1 he lived in Shipley, with his parents and two siblings. On the 1901 Census, aged 11 he still lived in Shipley, with his parents and three siblings. On the 1911 Census, he is proving elusive.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Horsham, Sussex; was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914-15 Star medals, his qualifying date being 20 December 1914. and was killed in action.
Additional Information
Unfortunately, Thomas’ Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing. Has a entry in the National Roll of the Great War. Recorded as serving in the Royal Engineers in the Borough Roll of Honour.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
