Military History

Francis died of his wounds on 11th December 1914 at at No 4 British Red Cross (Sir Henry Norman's) Hospital in Wimereux. The 1st Battalion war diary indicates that Francis was wounded by the shelling of the Battalions trenches sometime between the 5th & 7th December. The war diary entries for the period 4th to 7th December are transcribed below.

A Lines – December 4^th 1914: Relieved 2/Sherwood Foresters in A Lines. Once Coy 5^th Black Watch attached to Battalion & occupied D Coys trench. D Coy occupying the support trench immediately in rear of the Black Watch
Strength in Trenches 20 Officers & 492 O.R.

A Lines – December 5^th 6^th & 7^th 1914: Remained in trenches; less shelling that previously. We appear to have established a considerable preponderance of Artillery over the Germans, in fact the Germans only appear to be using field guns against us.
Casualties during period 2 killed and 7 wounded

Red Barn – December 7^th 1914: Relieved from trenches and marched by Companies to Brigade Reserve as Red Barn.