No.GS/67152, Corporal, Herbert FRANCIS
Aged 38
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Herbert Francis was born in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire (Ware Q4 1878 3A:303), son of Edward Spencer and Mary Ellen FRANCIS (née HANDSCOMB).
1881 census...Aged 2, he was at High Street, Hoddesdon with his father Edward S. FRANCIS [33] boot maker, born Ridgmont, Beds; his mother Mary E [33] born Ampthill, Bedfordshire and sisters Beatrice A [6] and Sarah E [4] both born in Hoddesdon. 1891 census...Aged 12, he was at High Street, Hoddesdon with his parents, and sisters Beatrice, Lilian M [9], Hilda E [6] and Elsie J [2], all born in Hoddesdon. 1901 census...Aged 23, a grocer's assistant, he was at North Street, Burwell with his brother in law George A HOBBS [53] grocer/draper born Burwell and George's son Alexander [2] born Burwell. In 1901 in Burwell, he married Sawbridgeworth born Mary Ann Rosa BOATMAN(b.17-5-1877). 1911 census...Aged 32, a grocer's assistant, he was at North Street, Burwell with his wife Rose [33] born Sawbridgeworth, Herts and their daughter Olive Mildred [8](b.29-6-1902) and their son Herbert Cecil [7](b.20-2-1904, both born in Burwell. They had a further son, Edwin William (b.5-2-1913). They were still at North Street in the pension card. In Q4/1918 Mary married William M. BOOKER. |
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The medal rolls record that he was in France on 21st July 1917, and until 11th August with the Army Service Corps before being transferred to the 2nd/2nd
Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, and killed in action on 26th October 1917.
"The Royal Fusiliers in the Great War" (H. C. O'NEILL, O.B.E.) has:- Another small attack was planned for the 26th; and the 2nd line battalions of the London Regiment took up their positions with the 58th Division, below the Poelcapelle-Spriet road. The 2/2 Londons, attacking at 5.40 a.m., reached Cameron House - about 250 yards below the Poelcapelle-Spriet road - at 7.15 a.m. A Company under Captain Harper cleared three of the four "pill-boxes" at this point and sent back 17 prisoners. D Company, in command of 2nd Lt. J. P. Howie at 6.30 a.m. reached a "pill-box" about 200 yards above the Lekkerboterbeek and stormed it, capturing 32 prisoners ; and three-quarters of an hour later had to repel hostile counter-attacks directed against this point and Cameron House. A Company, finding their flank uncovered by the retirement of the unit on their left, were compelled to withdraw ; but D clung to the ground they had captured until the end of the day. Moray House, lying about 550 yards due east of this "pill-box", held up C Company all the day. The casualties were 11 officers (3 killed) and 386 other ranks. |
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