Military History

Francis is listed as being killed in action on 27 Sep 1918. The 2nd/20th Battalion war diary entry for the 27th is transcribed below.

E of Hermes 27^th September 1918 – 2am: Bn concentrated. About this time, our transport on road running E through 45.a & b was shelled by enemy 5.9in guns, 2 OR being killed and 2 horses killed. Major W.M. Craddock MC reported as Liaison Ofcr to Suffolks at 56.a.9 W of Canal at 26.a.9.2.

5.20am:  Zero hour – our barrage started

5.50am: Bn moved forward to Canal in following order D. C. B. A. HQs. At Zero + 1 our Bn was crossing Canal. Enemy’s barrage heavy but no casualties sustained. Troops proceeded along Knights Bridge Trench to London Trench thence A&B Coy via George St and D&C Coys via Clarges Avenue to Sunken Road  running SW from K.24.b.8.7 to K.24.d.5.8.

9.30am:  Coys were in their “gunfiring” off ? as follows:

                                                                                D Coy in Scull Support
                                                                                A & C Coys in Ravine Avenue
                                                                                B Coys in Sunken Road E of Flesquires
                                                                                BN HQ in Dugout K.17.d.2.0

9.50am:  Battalion advanced

11.30am: 520 prisoners captured, also 6 Field Guns and about 30 M Guns. 8^th West Yorks passed through Bn and enemy threatened a counter attack. No 2 Coy 1^st Bn Grenadier Guards joined A Coy. 2 Platoons of C Coy under Lt. Slaughter actually reached their objective on the Blue Line but became heavily engaged and few survivors got back, Lt Slaughter being among the killed.

11pm: A line was finally established along Kaiser Trench in conjunction with 8^th West York and 1 Coy Grenadiers and supported by 1/5 the Devons. During a fairly quiet night Coys were able to reorganize. Night wet and cold. Bn HQ’s remained at K.24.b.4.6.

Casualties during day, Officers killed Lieut V Slaughter; 2/Lt F Jackson. Wounded 2/Lt S Herbert. OR killed 18, wounded 58, missing 7.