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.

Portsmouth Naval Memorial,

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)