195013 Acting Corporal
H.C. Francis
Royal Engineers
by
Lieutenant Colonel Edward De Santis ©2008
Francis enlisted in the Royal Engineers (Territorial Army) for service in the Great War of 1914-1918. He was trained as a signaller and posted to "T" Corps Signal Company, Royal Engineers with the British XIX Corps. Francis' company saw service in France and Flanders and took part in the following major actions:
Pilckem: 31 July 1917
Langemarck: 16 August 1917
Passchendaels: 26 October 1917
St. Quentin: 21 March 1918
Rosieres: 26 March 1918
Avre: 4 April 1918
Ypres: 28 Apri 1918
Courtrai: 14 October 1918
Corporal Francis survived the war and was awarded the the British War Medal and Victory Medal for his service.
REFERENCE:
Battle Honours of the Royal Engineers. The Royal Engineers Journal, 1925-1932.