Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for this research.
Albert John Francis was born in the 3rd quarter of 1893 at Holmwood, Surrey and was baptised on 13th August 1893 at St Mary’s Church in Holmwood.
He was the son of William James and Elizabeth Francis of 16 Spring Cottages, South Holmwood.
At the time of the 1911 Census, Albert lived at Breakspear Cottages, Holmwood and worked as a garden labourer.
He was part of the 1st Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment. His regimental number was 32502 and he was a private. Albert enlisted at Guildford, Surrey; and at the time of the enlistment lived in Holmwood.
His previous regiment was the 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (regimental number 12907).
Albert was killed in action on 15th January 1917 in France. He is buried at Mailly Wood Cemetery, Mailly-Maillet in Somme, France. His grave reference is II.D.3 and his headstone reads ´Gone but not Forgotten´. Albert is also commemorated at the South Holmwood Memorial.
He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal. Albert was 23 years old.
| Born | South Holmwood, Surrey | |
| Lived | South Holmwood, Surrey | |
| Son of | William James and Elizabeth Francis of 16 Spring Cottages, South Holmwood | |
| Enlisted | Guildford, Surrey | |
| Regiment | 1st Battalion. South Staffordshire Regiment | |
| Number | 32502 | |
| Date of Death | 15th January 1917 | |
| Place of Death | Somme, France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in action | |
| Age | 23 | |
| Memorial | Mailly Wood Cemetery, Mailly-Maillet |
