Officers, N.C.O.s & Men of the 1st Battalion, Commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial
Surnames: O to Z:
Le Touret Cemetery and Memorial (photographed by Author)
The Le Touret Memorial commemorates 13,479 British soldiers who fell in the fighting from October 1914 until 24th September 1915 and who have no known grave.
This Memorial commemorates 85 Officers and men from the Cheshire Regiment, all of whom were killed in October 1914, principally during the Battalion’s action around Festubert and La Bassée.
about Le Touret Memorial
On October 13th and 14th 1914 the remnants of the original 1st Battalion attempted to take Festubert and the names of 11 of those killed appear on the Memorial.
In addition, 55 Officers, N.C.O.s and men were reported missing, presumed captured. Some died in captivity of their wounds or illness.
Between the 17th and 20th the Battalion attacked La Bassée, (14 names) and tried again on 21st/22nd. 53 of the Memorial names represent those killed at Violaines on the 22nd alone.
“The little village of Violaines occupies an important place in the history of the 1st Battalion” (‘Ever Glorious’ – Bernard Rigby)
Of the 85 men commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial, 24 were of the original 1st Battalion who sailed for France on 14th August 1914, the others had arrived later as reinforcements.
about those with surnames O to Z by CLICKING the names below.
….. the men of the original 1st Battalion – Surnames: A to E
….. the men of the original 1st Battalion – Surnames: F to N
Corporal 10131 Richard OVER – ‘D’ Company.
Panel: 13 Killed in Action: 22 October 1914 Age: 23
Personal: Richard was born in the October quarter 1892, the son of Louis Ernest (Telephone Lineman) and Eleanor [Ellen] (née Kearns) Over. He had five younger sisters, Emily, Eleanor, Alice Veronica and Nora, and a younger brother, Harold. In 1901 (Census RG 12/3391) the family was living at 226 Beckwith Street, Birkenhead, Cheshire.
In the December quarter 1909 Richard’s mother, Eleanor, died and the 1911 Census (RG 13/22028) saw Richard and his siblings living with their widowed father at 9 Wycliffe Street, Rock Ferry, Cheshire. 18 years old Richard was employed as a “Telephone Wireman“.
The “Register of Soldiers’ Effects” shows that Richard’s father, Louis Ernest , had returned to him in September 1916 £13 12s 4d [£13.62 – equivalent to about £1500 today – 2023]. In October 1919 he also received a War Gratuity of £6 [about £400 today]. At that time Louis was living at 31 Holborn Hill, Tranmere, Cheshire.
Military Service: Richard enlisted into the Cheshire Regiment, at Birkenhead, Cheshire. His Service Records are unavailable and were probably destroyed by Second World War bombing.
However, his service number would suggest he enlisted in July 1913, on a 7 + 5 period of service (i.e. 7 years Active Service followed by 5 years in the Reserve).
As a regular soldier he was serving in Ireland with the 1st Battalion at the outbreak of War and sailed from Belfast, entering France on 16th August, confirmed by his Medal Index Card. As a member of ‘D’ Company Richard saw action at Audregnies on the 24th August, on the right flank under Captain Ernest Rae-Jones or Captain W.S. Rich.
Richard was on of the 53 NCOs and men killed in action on 22nd October 1914 at Violaines on the last day of the Battalion’s action to take La Bassée. He was initially reported as missing, and his “Register of Soldiers’ Effects” reads: “22-10-14 Death Presumed“.
The War Diary for that day reads:
“5.10 a.m. Enemy made heavy attack, and took the trenches at the point of the bayonet. Battalion retired to RUE DU MARAIS under very heavy fire. Manchesters came up in support.
8.0 p.m. Battalion withdrawn and went in bivouac at last E of RUE DE BETHUNE.
Casualties: Captains Shore, Rich, Hartford, 2/Lieuts Atkinson, Leicester, Greenhalgh missing, Captain Forster, 18 N.C.O.s & men wounded, 200 N.C.O.s & men missing including Sergeant Major.
CAPTAIN MAHONY died in hospital. Lieut. T L Frost took over command of the Battalion.”
He is one of 85 Officers and men of the 1st Battalion, killed in action in October and November 1914, who have no known grave and are commemorated on Le Touret Memorial.
Private 9322 Cuthbert Duke PANNELL – ‘D’ Coy.
Panel: 13 Killed in Action: 22 October 1914 Age: 23
Personal: Cuthbert was born in the September quarter 1891 in Horsefair, Kidderminster, Worcester, the youngest son of Edwin Thomas (Gas Fitter) and Jane (née Handley) Pannell. (After the War the family moved to 22 St. Mary’s Road, Bearwood, Smethwick, Staffordshire).
Cuthbert had an elder brother, Edwin Wilfred (see Footnote below), and two elder sisters, Edith M. and Elsie M. (1891 Census RG 12/2314 and 1901 Census RG 13/3765). Jane Pannell died in the September quarter 1897. Edwin Thomas, Cuthbert’s father, remarried Helen Bayes on 27th December 1902, at St Mary’s Church, Kidderminster, Worcester.
Cuthbert is enumerated on the 1911 Census of Ireland, a serving soldier by then, stationed in Belfast with the 1st Battalion.
The “Register of Soldiers’ Effects” shows that his father, Edwin Thomas, had returned to him in February 1916 £12 10s 3d [£12.51 – equivalent to about £1,400 today – 2023]. In August 1919 he also received a War Gratuity of £5 [about £330 today]. At that time Edwin was still living at 22 St. Mary’s Road, Bearwood, Smethwick.
Military Service: Cuthbert enlisted into the 1st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment, at Warwick. His Service Records are unavailable and were probably destroyed by Second World War bombing.
However, his service number would suggest he enlisted in July 1909, on a 7 + 5 period of service (i.e. 7 years Active Service followed by 5 years in the Reserve.) He was with the 1st Battalion in Belfast at the time of 1911 Census of Ireland.
As a regular soldier he was serving with the 1st Battalion at the outbreak of War and sailed from Belfast, entering France on 16th August, confirmed by his Medal Index Card.
As a member of ‘D’ Company he saw action at Audregnies on the 24th August, on the right flank under Captain Ernest Rae-Jones or Captain W.S. Rich.
Cuthbert was on of the 53 NCOs and men killed in action on 22nd October 1914 at Violaines on the last day of the Battalion’s action to take La Bassée. He was initially reported as missing, and his pension records later amended to: “22-10-14 Death Presumed“.
The War Diary for that day reads:
“5.10 a.m. Enemy made heavy attack, and took the trenches at the point of the bayonet. Battalion retired to RUE DU MARAIS under very heavy fire. Manchesters came up in support.
8.0 p.m. Battalion withdrawn and went in bivouac at last E of RUE DE BETHUNE.
Casualties: Captains Shore, Rich, Hartford, 2/Lieuts Atkinson, Leicester, Greenhalgh missing, Captain Forster, 18 N.C.O.s & men wounded, 200 N.C.O.s & men missing including Sergeant Major.
CAPTAIN MAHONY died in hospital. Lieut. T L Frost took over command of the Battalion.”
Cuthbert is one of 85 Officers and men of the 1st Battalion, killed in action in October and November 1914, who have no known grave and are commemorated on Le Touret Memorial.
Cuthbert’s elder brother, Pt. 2575 Edwin Wilfred Pannell, enlisted in the Northern Cyclist Battalion (T.F.) on 11th December 1915, aged 36 years 8 months.
On 24th February 1917 he was transferred to the Royal Engineers (Spr. 241580), probably because he was a skilled “Carpenter/Joiner“. He served in Ireland from 27th October 1917 to 22nd October 1918.
In 30th July 1902 Edwin had married Mignon Steward, at Worcester. They had three children, Harold (b. 1903), Edna (b. 1906) and Vera (b. 1914). They continued to live in Smethwick until Edwin died in October 1955.
Private 9791 George PLIMMER – ‘A’ Company
Panel: 13 Died of wounds: 20 October 1914 Age: 19
Personal: George was born in the March quarter 1894 in St John’s Parish, Accrington, Lancashire, probably the youngest son of John and Mary Anne (née Keane) Plimmer. He had an elder sister, Ellen E., and an adopted brother, Frederick Whitehead and was living with his mother and siblings at 60 Style Street, Manchester in 1901. (Census RG 13/3754) It seems he had another (half) brother, John Thomas (see Footnote below).
Manchester Industrial School
©Manchester Libraries
In 1911 (Census RG 14/24118) Mary Ann is lodging in one room at 7 Timber Street, Manchester.
George is registered as an ‘Inmate‘ of Manchester Certified Industrial School, Ardwick, Manchester. (RG 14/23828) Industrial Schools were intended to help those children who were destitute but who had not as yet committed any serious crime.
The idea was to remove the child from bad influences, give them an education and teach them a trade.
Industrial Schools
The “Register of Soldiers’ Effects” shows that in October 1915 an amount of £8 13s 0d [£8.65 – equivalent to about £1,100 today – 2023] his father, “Pte. John Plimmer”, although it seems unlikely that George’s father would have been a serving soldier, due to his age (55+).
A note on the record reads: “£8 13s – Amt. believed to have been misappropriated by a Clerk in the Office of the C.P. OC. Made good to the decd’s father“. So in March 1916 John Plimmer received the same as before again.
In July 1919 he also received a War Gratuity of £5 [about £330 today]. At that time he was living at 7 Pearson Street, Newton Heath, Manchester, later nearby 40 Croft Street.
Military Service: George enlisted into the 1st Battalion at Hyde, Cheshire. His Service Records are unavailable and were probably destroyed by Second World War bombing.
However, his service number would suggest he enlisted about February/March 1912, aged 18 years, probably on a 7 + 5 period of service (i.e. 7 years Active Service followed by 5 years in the Reserve.)
As a regular soldier George was serving with the 1st Battalion at the outbreak of War and sailed from Belfast, entering France on 16th August, confirmed by his Medal Index Card. As a member of ‘A’ Company he saw action at Audregnies on the 24th August, on the left flank under Captain A.J.L. Dyer.
George died of wounds received in action on the 20th October 1914 and he has no known grave. However, the “Register of Soldiers’ Effects” states that he died in “14th Field Ambulance. Of wounds“. It is likely then that he was buried close to the frontline and his grave subsequently lost.
14th Field Ambulance, R.A.M.C.
On the 19th the Battalion had attempted to take La Bassée and lost 9 men killed, 20 wounded. On the 20th 3 men were killed and a further 24 men wounded as they held Violaines. Most probably George was one of those 44 wounded men.
The full War Diary entries for these two days read:
“19th October: 10.0 a.m. Attempted to occupy LA BASSÉE, and came under heavy fire of each arm. Finally entrenched 450 yds in front of former positions. Casualties: 2/Lieut. Andrews, 2/Lieut. Sidebotham, 2/Lieut Napier wounded, 9 men killed, 20 wounded. Battalion on outposts.
20th October: Held VOILAINES, artillery shelled LA BASSÉE. Battalion on outposts. 2/Lieut MAY, 2/Lieut ADDISON wounded, 3 men killed, 24 men wounded. 3 p.m. German attack repulsed. Battalion on outposts.”
George is one of 85 Officers and men of the 1st Battalion, killed in action in October and November 1914, who have no known grave and are commemorated on Le Touret Memorial.
George’s (half)brother, Stoker 106914 John Thomas Plimmer, R.N. Died in Service on 4th Nov. 1918 of “Disease“.
Private 7001 John THOMSON (A.R.) – ‘D’ Coy. Awards: Mentioned in Despatches
Panel: 13 Killed in Action: 22 October 1914 Age: 32
Personal: John was born in October/November 1882 in Clarendon Street, St Thomas’s Parish, Hyde, Cheshire, the son of James (a self-employed Road Carrier) and Elizabeth (née Holgate ?) Thomson.
He had an elder brother, Thomas, two elder sisters, Isabella Allan and Lillas Bell, and a younger brother, William. (1881 Census RG 11/3468) By the time of the 1891 Census Elizabeth had died and James had re-married Selina Emma Denerley in March quarter 1887.
At the time of his enlistment John’s stated occupation was ‘Driver’. He was 5′ 6¾” tall (1.70 m.), weighed 118 lbs. (8 stone 6lbs) had a ‘fresh‘ complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. His stated religion was Church of England.
On 16th June 1910 John married Emily Jane Foote at St. Oswald’s Church, Newton, Cheshire. They had 2 children, Allen Major, born 9th March 1911, and Elizabeth Helen, 30th October 1913. In 1911 they were living with John’s father, James (again widowed), at 45 John Street, Hyde. (Census RG 14/21327) and John was working with his father as a ‘Carrier‘.
By May 1914, when he wrote requesting an extension of his Reserve Service (see below) he was working for the Midland Railway and living at 10 Boston Street, Hyde, Cheshire.
With effect from 24th May 1915 Emily received a Pension of £1 1s [£1.05 – equivalent to about £85 today] per week for herself and their 2 children. At that time she was living at 137 Mottram Road, Hyde, Cheshire.
The “Register of Soldiers’ Effects” shows that John’s wife, Emily, had returned to her in February 1916 £5 15s 9d [£5.78 – about £650 today – 2023]. In August 1919 she also received a War Gratuity of £5 [about £330 today].
Military Service: John enlisted into the 1st Battalion at Chester, aged 20 years 0 months, on 13th November 1902 on a 3 + 9 period of service (i.e. 3 years Active Service followed by 9 years in the Reserve.)
He transferred to the 2nd Battalion on 22nd February 1903 then back to the 1st on 18th March.
He served in Chester until 22nd April 1904 when he sailed to India, arriving 26th August and reverted to the 2nd Battalion on 14th October 1904. John returned from India on 31st January 1906 when he transferred to the Army Reserve ‘B’ on 3rd February 1906 and at that time his conduct and character were assessed as “Very Good.” He had earned one Good Conduct badge (left).
His time in Section ‘B’ of the reserve was due to end on 12th November 1914, but on 15th May 1914 John signed on to re-enlist into Section ‘D’ Reserve, for men who had completed their time in Section ‘B’ Reserve. They could choose to extend for another four years and were placed in Section ‘D’ Reserve. Terms, pay and training was the same as Section ‘B’.
However, before this could all take place, as a Reservist he was recalled at the outbreak of War and sailed from Belfast with the 1st Battalion, entering France on 16th August, confirmed by his Medal Index Card.
As a member of ‘D’ Company he saw action at Audregnies on the 24th August, on the right flank under Captain Ernest Rae-Jones or Captain W.S. Rich. (see Map above)
For this action he was Mentioned in Field Marshall French’s Despatch of 15th January 1915. His Service Papers state that he was “Brought to the notice of the Secretary of State for War for Gallant and Distinguished Service in the Field.” He was Gazetted again 15th February 1915, confirming the earlier entry.
After originally being reported missing after the action at Audregnies, John was one of the 53 NCOs and men killed in action at Violaines on 22nd October 1914, the last day of the Battalion’s action to take La Bassée. In total he had served 11 years 344 days with the Regiment, just 22 days short of his original 12 year enlistment.
“On the 22 October, the Battalion was still in position at Violaines. “D” Company was engaged in digging trenches in front of the village, when it was rushed by a surprise German attack. The Company fell back, leaving “C” Company exposed. This Company was also forced back. The whole Battalion now found that there were no troops on either flank and was forced to further withdraw to avoid being cut off. Over 220 men became casualties – dead, wounded or captured.” (Source: “Stockport Soldiers 1914-18”
The War Diary for that day reads:
“5.10 a.m. Enemy made heavy attack, and took the trenches at the point of the bayonet. Battalion retired to RUE DU MARAIS under very heavy fire. Manchesters came up in support.
8.0 p.m. Battalion withdrawn and went in bivouac at last E of RUE DE BETHUNE.
Casualties: Captains Shore, Rich, Hartford, 2/Lieuts Atkinson, Leicester, Greenhalgh missing, Captain Forster, 18 N.C.O.s & men wounded, 200 N.C.O.s & men missing including Sergeant Major.
CAPTAIN MAHONY died in hospital. Lieut. T L Frost took over command of the Battalion.”
John is one of 85 Officers and men of the 1st Battalion, killed in action in October and November 1914, who have no known grave and are commemorated on Le Touret Memorial.
Sergeant 8921 Jack TURLAND – ‘D’ Company
Panel: 13 Killed in action: 22 October 1914 Age: 34
Personal: Jack was born in January 1890 in Northampton, the son of Jack and Jane Turland (later 90 Liverpool Road, Watford, Hertfordshire). He had an elder brother, Thomas, and a younger sister, Mabel.
However, the 1911 Census (RG 14/7717) lists widower John Edwin Turland (House Painter) living at this address with Jane Carter – his Housekeeper, and three Carter children, Emily Bertha (aged 11), Edwin (8) and Wallace (6).
At the time of his enlistment Jack’s stated occupation was ‘Milkman‘. He was 5’ 8¼” tall (1.73 m.), weighed 129 lbs. (9 stone 3 lbs) had a ‘fresh‘ complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. His stated religion was Church of England.
Jack is enumerated on the 1911 Census of Ireland, a serving soldier by then, stationed in Belfast with the 1st Battalion. On 2nd May 1912 he married Ellen Jane McTague at St Anne’s Church, Belfast. Her home address was given as 18 The Hall, Tottenham, London. They had no children.
Despite the fact that his death was not confirmed until 1916, Jack’s wife was awarded a pension of 10/- (50p – equivalent to about £55 today – 2023) per week with effect from 27th September 1915. This was increased to 16/3 on 4th April 1917. [£0.81 – about £72 today]
The “Register of Soldiers’ Effects” shows that Jack’s widow, Ellen Jane, had returned to her in June 1916 £23 15s 3d [£23.76 – about £2600 today – 2023]. In September 1919 she also received a War Gratuity of £8 [about £530 today].
After the War Ellen was living at 78 Seaford Road, West Green, Tottenham, but later remarried, becoming Mrs Gaynor, and moved to 236 Springfield Road, Belfast.
Military Service: Jack enlisted into the 1st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment, at Bedford, aged 18 years 1 months, on 18th February 1908 on a 7 + 5 period of service (i.e. 7 years Active Service followed by 5 years in the Reserve.)
However, his Service Papers show that his first choice of Regiment was the Grenadier Guards and, following a medical on 20th February 1908, he was approved to be enlisted in the Guards Regiment
For some reason that posting did not happen and Jack joined the Cheshires and was posted to Bordon on 4th June 1908 and then to Belfast on 24th September 1909.
On 6th October 1913, in preparation for civilian employment, Captain Dugmore stated that Jack had been employed in the Officers’ Mess as a Waiter and his conduct and character were assessed as “Intelligent, exceedingly hard working and reliable. A very good waiter.”
As a serving soldier he sailed at the outbreak of War from Belfast with the 1st Battalion, entering France on 16th August, confirmed by his Medal Index Card. As a member of ‘D’ Company he saw action at Audregnies on the 24th August, on the right flank under Captain Ernest Rae-Jones or Captain W.S. Rich. On 5th September he was promoted Acting Corporal and again to Acting Sergeant on 30th September. (These promotions have not made their way on to his CWGC records, but do appear on his Medal Card.
Jack was one of the 53 NCOs and men killed in action at Violaines on 22nd October 1914, the last day of the Battalion’s action to take La Bassée. It was not until 23rd March 1916 that he was deemed to have been killed in action ‘on or since‘ that date and that Form B.104 should be sent to his next of kin informing them of this. In total he had served 6 years 247 days with the Regiment.
“On the 22 October, the Battalion was still in position at Violaines. “D” Company was engaged in digging trenches in front of the village, when it was rushed by a surprise German attack. The Company fell back, leaving “C” Company exposed. This Company was also forced back. The whole Battalion now found that there were no troops on either flank and was forced to further withdraw to avoid being cut off. Over 220 men became casualties – dead, wounded or captured.” (Source: “Stockport Soldiers 1914-18”
The War Diary for that day reads:
“5.10 a.m. Enemy made heavy attack, and took the trenches at the point of the bayonet. Battalion retired to RUE DU MARAIS under very heavy fire. Manchesters came up in support.
8.0 p.m. Battalion withdrawn and went in bivouac at last E of RUE DE BETHUNE.
Casualties: Captains Shore, Rich, Hartford, 2/Lieuts Atkinson, Leicester, Greenhalgh missing, Captain Forster, 18 N.C.O.s & men wounded, 200 N.C.O.s & men missing including Sergeant Major.
CAPTAIN MAHONY died in hospital. Lieut. T L Frost took over command of the Battalion.”
However, on 15th May 1919 his (step) sister Emily (the oldest of the ‘Carter‘ children, whose mother married Jack’s father) wrote to the MOD asking about Jack’s whereabouts – on the advice of the Editor of the Northampton Chronicle.
She requested any information as her (and Jack’s) parents “Having heard there are a large number of prisoners in Germany (they) are anxious to know if he is lucky enough to be among them“. Accordingly, on 21st May the family were sent a copy of his Death Certificate, with deep regrets.
Jack is one of 85 Officers and men of the 1st Battalion, killed in action in October and November 1914, who have no known grave and are commemorated on Le Touret Memorial.
Private 7227 Francis WARREN (A.R.) – ‘A’ Coy.
Panel: 13 Died of wounds: 14 October 1914 Age: 34
Personal: Francis was born in the June quarter 1879 at 13 Wilkinson’s Buildings (map right), Regent Road, Salford, Lancashire, the son of Samuel (Blacksmith) and Mary (née Higson) Warren.
He had three older siblings, George, Amelia and Mary A., and a younger sister, Elizabeth (1891 Census RG 12/3225).
Francis’ mother, Mary, died in 1897/8 and in 1901 (Census RG 13/3737) Francis, working as a ‘Turner‘, was living with his widowed father and sister Elizabeth at 12 Ruby Street, Salford. Another baby, Annie, aged 5 months, is listed as a ‘daughter‘.
At the time of his enlistment Francis’s stated occupation was ‘Joiner’s Labourer‘. He was 5’ 5½” tall (1.65 m.), weighed 121 lbs. (8 stone 9 lbs) had a ‘fresh‘ complexion, brown eyes and dark brown hair. His stated religion was Church of England.
On 4th November 1907 Francis married Ethel Adams at Salford, Manchester. In 1911 they were living at 3 Croydon Street, Oxford Street, Salford (Census RG 14/24050) with children Amelia (born 17th February 1909) and Ernest (11th November 1911). Later a third child, Ethel, was born on 15th April 1914. (They had had another child who died in infancy.)
In November 1914 the family had moved to 101 Robert Hall Road, Salford. With effect from 5th July 1915 Ethel was awarded a pension of £1 0s 6d (£1.025 – equivalent to about £135 today – 2023) per week for herself and their three children. By March 1921 the Pension for herself and their three children had increased incrementally to £2 10s 2d [£2.51 = about £160 per week today].
The “Register of Soldiers’ Effects” shows that Ethel had returned to her in March 1916 £4 12s 0d [£4.60 – about £510 today – 2023]. In September 1919 she also received a War Gratuity of £5 [about £330 today].
Military Service: Francis enlisted into the 2nd Battalion at Altrincham, Cheshire, aged 22 years 5 months, on 26th August 1903 on a 3 + 9 period of service (i.e. 3 years Active Service followed by 9 years in the Reserve.)
He was posted to the 2nd Battalion on 19th October 1903, transferring to the 1st on 16th May 1904.
On 25th March 1904 Francis was ‘admonished‘ for being late for tattoo and roll call, returning drunk, and again in April (11/12th) received 5 days CB (Confined to Barracks) for a similar offence. These were both whilst in Southampton waiting transfer to India where he arrived at Colaba on 1st October.
On arrival in October 1904 Francis rejoined the 2nd Battalion and was almost immediately treated in Hospital at Wellington for ‘severe contagion‘ and also for a tape worm. On his return to England (24th November 1906) Francis was transferred to the Army Reserve 2 days later.
As a Reservist he was recalled at the outbreak of War, mobilizing at Chester on 5th August, and sailed from Belfast with the 1st Battalion, entering France on 16th August, confirmed by his Medal Index Card. As a member of ‘A’ Company he saw action at Audregnies on the 24th August, on the left flank under Captain A.J.L. Dyer.
On 28th October 1914 Francis was reported missing from the Battalion from the 14th, but is was not until 2nd December 1915 that the Army Council deemed that his death had occurred “on or since” the 14th (Army Form B 104 – 82a) and that next of kin should be advised accordingly. In total he had served 11 years 50 days with the Regiment.
His wife, Ethel, had written to the Pay and War Offices on 28th October and 11th December 1914 and again in March 1915 asking for further details. In the first of these letters she said she hadn’t heard from Francis since 14th September and didn’t know if “He was dead or alive“.
From the War Diary the 13th October is a more likely date for Francis’ death when the Battalion was in the trenches at Festubert:
“4.45 a.m. ‘A’ Coy made dawn attack on RUE D’OUVERT without success, casualties Major Vandeleur, 2nd Scottish Rifles, Major Young, Captain Harbord, D.S.O., Lieut. Harrington, 2nd Lieut Thomas, 55 N.C.O.s & men missing, 8 N.C.O.s & men wounded.”
Francis is one of 85 Officers and men of the 1st Battalion, killed in action in October and November 1914, who have no known grave and are commemorated on Le Touret Memorial.
