Henry Francis
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
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Henry 'Harry' Francis was born in 1889 at Balderton and was the son of William a maltsters labourer and Mary Francis née Preston of 111 Barnby Gate, Newark. His father William was born in 1859 at Stanfield, Lincolnshire and his mother Mary Preston was born in 1861 at Balderton, they were married ion 1882 their marriage was recorded in the Newark Registration district, they went on to have the following children, John b1883, George b1884, Edith b1885, Emma b1887, Harry b1889, Charles b1891, Thomas b1893, Richard b1895, Arthur b1897, William b1899 and Albert b1903, all were born in Balderton. In the 1911 census the family are living at 45 Side Row, Beacon Hill, Newark and are shown as William 52 yrs a maltsters labourer, he is living with his wife Mary 50 yrs and their children, Charles 20 yrs a cabinet maker, Richard 16 yrs a butchers assistant, Arthur 14 yrs a moulder, William 12 yrs a scholar, Albert 8 yrs a scholar. Henry has left the family home prior to the 1911 census and is believed to be serving in the Army (no trace on the 1911 census )
Lance Corporal Henry Francis enlisted at Newark, he served with the 3rd battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps and had seen service in India prior to the outbreak of the war. He landed in France on 9th February 1915 and was later sent to Salonika where he died of wounds on 4th April 1917 in Macedonia. He is buried at Mikra British Cemetery, Kalamaria, Greece (grave ref. 1934).
Article published on the 21st April 1917 in the Newark Herald :- Eldest son of William & Mary Francis, 111 Barnbygate, Newark. Attended the Balderton school and afterwards worked for Mr. Cheetham, billposter. He had served for seven years in India and was sent to France two years ago. Afterwards went to Salonica and not home since. Died of wounds. Has five brothers, who have all been in action. Two of them wounded in Nov. 1916, one has recovered and been sent out again. Now there are four on active service and one in hospital in Wales.
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