DOW

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Portrait
Courtesy of AWM

Francis was born in Bacchus Marsh, VIC in 1896 to Daniel Ward and Frances Cosgrove.

Francis was a labourer at Bacchus Marsh, VIC when he enlisted in the AIF on the 17^th of February 1916, aged 21. In April he was allotted to the 18^th Reinforcements, 14^th Battalion before embarking aboard the HMAT A17 Port Lincoln in May and disembarked in Egypt some time later.

In August 1916 Francis embarked from Alexandria, Egypt and disembarked in England. He proceeded overseas to France in October - about this time his Regimental No. was changed from 5431 to 5747 - and joined his unit later that month. Francis received a gunshot wound to the left hip in April 1917 and was admitted to the 9^th Casualty Clearing Station. Two days later he was invalided back to England and admitted to the Fairfield Military Hospital, Broadstairs. In June he was briefly transferred to the 1^st Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield before being discharged to two weeks furlough. A week later Francis was admitted to hospital for two months followed by four months at No. 4 Convalescent Depot. Francis rejoined his unit in the field in April 1918 however, three months later he was again wounded in action - shell wound to head, back, shoulder and arm - and admitted to 13^th Australian Field Ambulance then the 47^th Casualty Clearing Station where he died of his wounds ten days later on the 15^th of July 1918.

Francis was buried in Crouy British Cemetery, Crouy St Pierre, Amiens, France, aged 23.

He is listed on the Shire of Bacchus Marsh Roll of Honour and the Bacchus Marsh & District Roll of Honour. He is also remembered in the St. Bernard's Catholic Church Memorial Window.