WILLIAM THOMAS FRANCIS RN
Born: 21st December 1889, Rushmere St. Andrew, Suffolk.
Died: 31st May 1916; age 26; KiA at the Battle of Jutland.
Occupation: Electrician – Fitter.
Enlistment: Location: Portsmouth. Signed up for period of hostilities. Height: 5ft 8ins, fresh complexion, blue eyes & brown hair.
Service:
Vernon – Wireman 2nd Class – 13th October 1914 – 17th October 1914
Victory II – Wireman 2nd Class – 18th October 1914 – 30th October 1914
Invincible – Wireman 2nd Class – 31st October 1914
Invincible – Wireman 2nd Class – 1st October 1915
Invincible – Wireman 1st Class – 1st January 1916 – 31st May 1916
Rank: Wireman 1st Class; Service Number: M/9999;
Regiment: Royal Navy, H.M.S. ‘Invincible’
Memorial Reference:
20.
Hampshire.
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of William & Gertrude Melnotte Francis & brother of Arthur L. Francis, of ‘Annadale’ 103, Rushmere Road, Ipswich.
CENSUS
1891 School House, Rushmere St. Andrew, Suffolk.
William was a year old and living with his parents, sisters & paternal grandmother.
William Francis, 31, a School Master, born Carlton, Bedfordshire.
Gertrude Melnotte Francis (nee Smeed), 36, a School Mistress, born Faversham, Kent.
Gertrude Ethel Francis, 6, born Rushmere St. Andrew.
Ida Eleanor Francis, 4, born Rushmere St. Andrew.
Mary Ann Francis, 67, a widow, born South Cerney, Gloucestershire.
1901 School House, Rushmere St. Andrew, Suffolk.
William was 11 years old and living with his parents, siblings & paternal grandmother.
William, 41, a School Master.
Gertrude, 45, a School Mistress.
Gertrude, 16, a Pupil Teacher.
Ida, 14.
Arthur Leslie Francis, 7, born Rushmere St. Andrew.
Mary, 77.
1911 Union Workhouse, Woodbridge Road, Rushmere St. Andrew, Suffolk.
William was 21 years old, an Officer – Engineer, at the Union Workhouse.
William is also remembered on the war memorial at Rushmere St. Andrew, Suffolk and on a cenotaph erected in St. Andrew’s Churchyard, Rushmere St. Andrew, Suffolk.
the Battle of Jutland:
http://www.northeastmedals.co.uk/britishguide/jutland/hms_invincible_casualty_list_1916.htm
H.M.S. ‘Invincible’
http://www.naval-history.net/OWShips-WW1-02-HMS_Invincible.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Invincible_(1907)