Arthur Ethelbert Francis
Arthur Ethelbert Francis
Arthur Ethelbert Francis was born (June) 1897 in the Elham district of Kent. He was the third son of Kate and Francis James Francis. Arthur was the seventh of nine children, Christiana, Frank Woodhall, Percy, Marguerite K, Violet Lilian, Mabel, Harold and Charles William being the others. At the time Arthur was born the family lived at 1 Cambridge Terrace, off St. Michael’s St, Folkestone. His father, who had previously been a house painter, joined the Merchant Navy but was accidentally killed in 1906. Arthur and his younger brother Harold were both then sent to the Seaman’s Orphanage at Southampton (1911 Census). Arthur was at sometime educated at Dover Road Boys School at Folkestone but it is not known when.
Arthur joined the army as Private 27808 Middlesex Regiment and then later transferred to the 8th Battalion Queens , Royal West Surrey Regiment (T/206821). He was killed in action in France on 21st March 1918 and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial and Folkestone War Memorial. His brother, Frank Woodhall Francis is also commemorated on Folkestone War Memorial.
Arthur and Frank Francis
This photo is believed to have been taken in January 1918 when Frank was home on leave and just three months before both men had been killed whilst serving in the Great War.
