BORN HIBALDSTOWE, LINCS 1892. SON OF THOMAS WATMOUGH (1853-1939) & EMMA RABY (1854-1927), OF 38 WELESLEY STREET, HULL . ONE OF SEVEN CHILDREN. HE MARRIED ELSIE MARY ANSTEE ON 24/07/1913. HIS WIFE ELSIE MARY LIVED AT 9 , WASHINGTON STREET, HULL (CWGC ADDRESS) & LATER MOVED TO RICHMOND, SURREY. HE STUDIED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LONDON. EMPLOYED AS A HYMERS’ SCHOOL TEACHER. LIVING AT 9 WASHINGTON STREET, HULL (HDM ADDRESS).
HE ENLISTED IN THE ROYAL GARRISON ARTILLERY. PROMOTED TWICE. KILLED IN ACTION, ON 08/11/1917, AGED 36. HE IS BURIED AT ORCHARD DUMP CEMETERY, ARLEUX-EN-GOHELLE, PAS DE CALAIS, FRANCE. HIS GRAVE INSCRIPTION, READS, “LOVER OF SOULS GREAT GOD, I LOOK TO THEE”. HE LEFT £287 IN HIS WILL TO HIS WIDOW, ELSIE AMRY AT THIS PROBATE ADDRESS.
Francis spent the first 8 months of his service on home soil. He was fully fit 5’7″ and Church of England. A qualified teacher and aged 34 years 3 months. He was one of the older recruits when he signed up in Hull Central Recruiting Office. Francis was promoted twice during his time in the RGA. He was firstly awarded 1 stripe as a Bombadier and earned his second stripe which made him a Corporal on 9th April 1917. When he was later killed, his wife was awarded a pension of 15/- per week . Siege Batteries of the RGA were equipped with heavy howitzers, sending large calibre high explosive shells in high trajectory, plunging fire. Francis had been involved since 9 Aug 1916 until he was killed in action. He received the WW1 and Victory Medals.
Corporal, 142nd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Son of Mrs. E. Watmough, of 38 Wellesley Avenue, Hull; husband of Elsie Mary Watmough, of 2 Adelaide Rd., Richmond, Surrey. Age: 36. He left £287 19s 4d to Elsie in his will. Married on 24 Jul 1913 at St Peters Church, Ropsley. This church contains a prayer desk and plaque attached to the choir stall which are both dedicated to Francis
