Private Francis William Wells
| Date of Birth | 10 July 1895 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 21 |
| Date of Death | 16 September 1916 |
| Service Number | TF/3173 |
| Military Service | 1st Battalion Middlesex Regiment |
| Merton Address | 34 Harewood Road, Merton |
| Local Memorial | Rutlish School, Merton |
Additional Information
Francis was born in Mitcham on 10 July 1895, and baptised about a month later, on 18 August at All Saints Church in South Wimbledon. He was the middle child of William Hadley and Marian Wells, with older sister Honoria and younger brother Frederick. The family resided at Aylesbeare in Mitcham, then moved to 34 Harewood Road in Merton, where they were living at the time of the 1911 census. His father, William was an elementary school teacher, later head teacher, and his sister Honoria was training to become a teacher as well. Francis attended Rutlish School, and worked as a bank clerk before the war.
Francis enlisted in 1914, and arrived in Egypt on 1 September 1915. He was later moved to the Western Front near Thiepval, where he was killed in action on 16 September 1916.