Main CPGW Record
Surname: FRANCIS
Forename(s): Thomas
Place of Birth: Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire
Service No: 7898
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 1/5th Battalion
Division: 49th (West Riding) Division
Age: 23
Date of Death: 1916-07-03
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 2 A 2 C and 2 D.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: BARNOLDSWICK, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Thomas Francis was the son of Felix and Elizabeth Francis, née Breare. Felix was born at Denham near Hoxne, Suffolk and Elizabeth at Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire.
1901 Burnley, Lancashire Census: 105, Piccadilly Road - Thomas Francis, aged 8 years, born Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, son of Felix and Elizabeth Francis.
1911 Worsthorne, Lancashire Census: 1, Gorple Road - Thomas Francis, aged 18 years, born Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, son of Felix and Elizabeth Francis.
Thomas was married to Gertrude Bird in 1914. Hannah Bird, Gertrude's sister, was married to Private James Parkinson (12375) (q.v.).
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Thomas Francis, 7898, W. Yorks R. K. in A. 2.7.16.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Thomas Francis, 7898, 1/5 W. York R. Killed in Action 2.7.16.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Thomas Francis, 22830, 1st Garr. Bn att 1/5 Bn West Yorks. Date and Place of Death: 3/7.7.16. In action. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Widow and Sole Legatee - Gertrude. £7 16s. 4d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: Pte Thomas Francis, 22830, 1st G. Bn. West Yorks. Date and cause of death: 1/3.7.16. Killed in Action. Name(s) on card(s): Widow: Gertrude, born 2.10.94. Address: 5, Bankfield Street, Barnoldswick, Yorks.
The 1921 Census shows that Gertrude was living with her parents, Josiah and Margaret Alice Bird at 5, Bankfield Street, Coates, Barnoldswick.
A Tom Francis is commemorated on Worsthorne Wesleyan Sunday School Roll of Honour as having served. No date of death is given for him.
Short biographies of Thomas are included in:
‘Barnoldswick – A small Town’s part in conflicts 1800 to 2014’ by Peter Ian Thompson (2014).
‘Missing But Not Forgotten – Men of the Thiepval Memorial Somme’ by Pam & Ken Linge (2015).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
FRANCIS, Tom, aged 23 years, West Yorkshire Regiment, 3, Bankfield Street, [Barnoldswick], killed in action in France, July 1916.
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Private Thomas FRANCIS
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 49th (West Riding) Division
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
21 July 1916
FRANCIS – Killed in action in France, Pte. Tom Francis, 1/5th West Yorkshire Regiment, 3 Bankfield Street, Barnoldswick.
21 July 1916
MORE BARNOLDSWICK MEN PAY THE PRICE – PATHETIC TRAGEDY OF THE BATTLEFIELD
News came to hand at the weekend of the death in France of Pte. Tom Francis, 1/5th West Yorks. Regiment. He was 23 years of age, and enlisted in the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment in November, 1914, being afterwards transferred to the West Yorkshires while at Malta, where he was stationed for nine months. He was formerly a weaver at Bankfield Shed. The sad news was conveyed to his wife, who resides at 3, Bankfield Street, in the following letter from another solider in the 7th Duke of Wellington’s:–
“Dear Madam, – I hope you will excuse me for taking the liberty of writing to you, but I think when I have explained you will see that I am only tying to do what I think is my duty.
“I was out scouting on a piece of ‘no man’s land’ just after our Battalion had relieved the 1/5th West Yorks. from a very hot place when I came across the dead body of an English soldier in a very lonely spot. As a means of identifying him I searched his pockets, and I am sorry to say that I am afraid it is your husband, from the pay-book and photos, one of which I enclose. So gathering his personal belongings together I handed them to the proper quarter and then proceeded to lay him to rest in a decent grave, just behind the firing line, and may he rest in peace.
“My object in writing to you was to let you know the true state of things, for with his pay book, &c. being on his body when found I thought he might be reported missing, and although I know it is hard I thought it best for you to know the cruel truth. So please excuse me if I have caused you any pain. You will at least have the satisfaction of knowing that he is in a decent grave, along with others who have died doing their duty. I need hardly say that you will receive all his personal belongings in due course from the War Office. So trusting I am not intruding in writing to you.
“I beg to remain, yours sincerely, JAMES H. BEAUMONT, No. 5, Lewis Gun Section, ‘A’ Co., 1/7th West Riding Regt., France.”
Pte. Francis had only been in France about six weeks. His brother-in-law, Corpl. James Parkinson, 2nd Duke of Wellington’s, whose wife lived at the same address, has been a prisoner in Germany since May 5th, 1915.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
21 July 1916
MORE BARNOLDSWICK MEN PAY THE PRICE – Pathetic Tragedy of the Battlefield
News came to hand at the weekend of the death in France of Private Tom Francis, 1st 5th West Yorkshire Regiment. He was 23 years of age, and enlisted in the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment in November 1914, being afterwards transferred to the West Yorkshires while at Malta, where he was stationed for nine months. He was formerly a weaver at Bankfield Shed. The sad news was conveyed to his wife, who resides at 3, Bankfield Street, in the following letter from another solider in the 7th Duke of Wellington’s:–
“Dear Madam, – I hope you will excuse me for taking the liberty of writing to you, but I think when I have explained you will see that I am only tying to do what I think is my duty. I was out scouting on a piece of ‘no man’s land’ just after our Battalion had relieved the 1st 5th West Yorkshires from a very hot place when I came across the dead body of an English soldier in a very lonely spot. As a means of identifying him I searched his pockets, and I am sorry to say that I am afraid it is your husband, from the pay-book and photos, one of which I enclose. So gathering his personal belongings together I handed them to the proper quarter and then proceeded to lay him to rest in a decent grave, just behind the firing line, and may he rest in peace. My object in writing to you was to let you know the true state of things, for with his pay book, &c. being on his body when found I thought he might be reported missing, and although I know it is hard I thought it best for you to know the cruel truth. So please excuse me if I have caused you any pain. You will at least have the satisfaction of knowing that he is in a decent grave, along with others who have died doing their duty. I need hardly say that you will receive all his personal belongings in due course from the War Office. So trusting I am not intruding in writing to you.
“I beg to remain, yours sincerely, JAMES H. BEAUMONT, No. 5, Lewis Gun Section, ‘A’ Co., 1st 7th West Riding Regiment, France.”
Private Francis had only been in France about six weeks. His brother-in-law, Corporal James Parkinson, 2nd Duke of Wellington’s, whose wife lived at the same address, has been a prisoner in Germany since May 5th 1915.
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