Information about the early life of Albert Henry Francis is somewhat lacking. Whilst it is known that he was born in Marylebone, no date can be found, nor any information about his family.
In 1916 he married Hilda Winifred Mary Williams (1884-1950) in the Wandsworth registration district and they had one son; John Albert Francis who was born on 21 April 1916. Their son was baptised on 4 June 1916 at Holy Trinity Church, Upper Tooting. The baptismal register shows the family living at 12 Brenda Road, Tooting Bec, and records his occupation as a soldier.
When he enlisted at Highbury as a Private in the 1st/4th (City of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers); service number 7522, he stated that he was residing in Finsbury and that he had previously served as a Private in the 4th/3rd (City of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers); service number 6175.
He entered France on 8 October 1916 and in 1917 his service number was changed from 7522 to 283720
He was killed in action on 10 February 1917 and as he has no known grave he is commemorated on Panel 130 on the Loos Memorial in Dud Corner Cemetery, Loos-en-Gohelle, Pas-de-Calais, France.
On 29 May 1917 his widow was sent his army effects totalling £1-19s-0d and on 28 October 1919 she received his £3-0s-0d war gratuity.
He was posthumously awarded the British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal.
He is also commemorated in the London Borough of Islington's Book of Remembrance.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
