South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project
The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One |
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Military History |
| Theatre of War | Medals | Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial |
|---|---|---|
| North Sea | 1914 Star, British War & Victory Medals | Cromarty Cemetery, Scotland |
| Arrived in Theatre | Medal Citation (if app) | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| 5 Aug 1914 at sea | ~ | Kenilworth War Memorial |
| Kenilworth St. Nicholas | ||
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed | Date and Place Mobilised | |
| Killed by Accidental Explosion | 2 Aug 1914 | |
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | Other War Memorials |
| Cromarty, Nairnshire aboard HMS Gamecock | ||
Service History
- 10 Aug 1881 - Boy sailor HMS Penelope
- 30 Aug 1882 - Boy 1st Class at HMS Ganges
- 6 Feb 1884 - Ordinary Seaman 2nd Class HMS Fantome
- 1 Sep 1884 - Ordinary Seaman 1st Class HMS Fantome
- 14 Nov 1886 - Able Seaman HMS Fantome
- 5 Sep 1889 - Petty Officer 2nd Class HMS Scout
- 1 Nov 1889 - Petty Officer 1st Class HMS Scout
- 1 May 1897 - Chief Petty Officer HMS Pembroke
- 5 Oct 1904 - Retired - into Naval Reserve
- 2 Aug 1914 - Mobilised from Naval Reserve
Circumstances of Death
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Francis was accidentally killed in an explosion aboard HMS Gamecock, which was anchored in Cromarty Harbour. The events leading to the explosion are described in the following newspaper article. EXPLOSION AT CROMARTY The Nairnshire Telegraph – April 27th 1915 On Friday last, on board H.M. modified minesweeper Gamecock, which lay at anchor in Cromarty Roads, an explosion, caused by gun cotton occurred, resulting in the deaths of Francis Plant (49), married, Chief Torpedo Gunners Mate, and Harry Jone Hone (35) married, Seaman Torpedoman (experts), from H.M.S. Stephen Furness, depot ship, Cromarty; and seriously injuring three of the crew of the Gamecock, two of whom have since died, viz, Charles Henry Brown (18) single who died on Saturday and Francis Woodley (41) married, who died on Sunday. Frederick Kent (30) now lies seriously injured on board HM Hospital Ship Drina. It is not known how the accident occurred, but it was supposed that the men were fitting dry gun cotton primer tins and that one of these had detonated with terrific force, causing a loud report which was heard for miles around. |
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
|---|---|
| 6 Feb 1866 - Farnham, Suffolk | |
| Mothers Name | Abode |
| Emma Plant | 1 Albion Street, Kenilworth |
| Wife and Marriage Details | Children |
| Ella Mary Plant nee Burch | Francis C. Plant b 22 Nov 1909 |
| 9 Mar 1902 at Hammersmith St. Simon | |
| Schools | Colleges |
| ~ | |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1866 - Farnham, Suffolk | 1881 - Domestic Servant |
| 1871 - Loudham Union Workhouse, Wickham Market | 1891 - Petty Officer 1st Class on HMS Vernon |
| 1881 - Plomesgate Union Workhouse, Wickham Market | 1901 - Chief Petty Officer on HMS Barfleur |
| 1891 - Aboard HMS Vernon | 1904 - Naval Pensioner |
| 1901 - Aboard HMS Barfleur | 1911 - Electrical Engineer Naval Pensioner |
| 1911 - 12 St Winifred Road, Folkestone | |
| 1915 - 89 Devonport Road, Shepherds Bush |
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The Connection to Kenilworth Francis was born in Farnham, Suffolk to his mother Emma Plant. No father is listed on his birth certificate. By 1871 Francis and his mother Emma were living at the Loudham Lane Workhouse in Wickham Market and his brother Harry was born there the same year. The 1881 Census shows that the three of them were still living in the Workhouse. I have not yet found the 1891 census however by the time of 1901 Census Francis was serving in the Royal Navy and his mother Emma and brother Harry had moved to 1 Albion Street, Kenilworth and both Emma (now aged 82) and Harry (50) were still living there at the time of the 1921 census. |