Francis Wells
He was a warehouseman for Boots (Redditch)
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Francis Wells was born in 1881 at Crabbs Cross, Redditch, he was the son of the late William Wells A needle maker and Mary Wells néé Powell of Redditch.
His father William Wells was born in 1854 At Crabbs Cross, Worcestershire he died in 1898 at Worcester he was 43 yrs of age, his mother Mary Powell was born in 1855 at Crabbs Cross, she died in 1909 aged 54 yrs they were married on 1st November 1874 at Ipsley, Worcestershire, they went on to have 7 children.
Francis was the husband of Annetta Mary Price born 5th July 1890 Ludlow Shropshire, they were married in 1909 at Bromsgrove, they lived at 121, Mount Pleasant, Redditch, Worcester, they had 3 children, Eda born 1911, Phyllis Mary born 28th March 1911 and Doris born 3rd October 1913.
In the 1911 census the family are living at Gilbert Cottages, Ipsley Street, Reditch, Francis Wells 30 yrs is a chemist porter, he is living with his wife Annette Mary 23 year and Ena 1 month old.
Commencing 3rd June 1915 his widow was awarded a pension of 19 shillings a week.
Private Francis Wells enlisted at Birmingham, he served with the 1st battalion East Lancashire Regiment, he was killed in action on 2nd November 1914 and is buried in Lancashire Cottage Cemetery (grave ref. l.B.5)
Boots memorial: Sergeant, East Lancs Regt.
Boots 'Comrades in Khaki', April 1915, 'Dead on the Field of Honour': 'F Wells, Sergeant. Killed in action 2nd November 1914.' (Nottinghamshire Archives, ref. RB.38)
Boots 'Comrades in Khaki', April 1915, ‘Bearers of the Burden’: Other names on the mournful list of those killed in action are: … F Wells of Redditch, warehouseman.' (Nottinghamshire Archives, ref. RB,38)
Boots ‘Comrades in Khaki’, April 1915,’Letters from the Lads’: Sergt Francis Wells (Reddish Branch), of the 1st East Lancashire Regt. who fell on the field in November last, had written a series of most interesting and thoughtful letters which appeared in ‘The Redditch Indicator’. Extracts from this correspondence will probably be given in a future issue of this periodical.’ (Nottinghamshire Archives, ref. RB.38)
Additional reseach and information Peter Gilings
Photo of Francis Wells
Lancashire Cottage Cemetery, Belgium courtesy of the cwgc