James Henry FRANCIS

Regimental number12/1627
Date of birth12 November 1883
Place of birthOamaru
True NameFREW, James Henry
AddressTauranga, Bay of Plenty
Marital statusSingle
Height6' 0"
Weight169 lbs
Next of kinSister, Mrs Langdon, Cameron Road, Tauranga, Bay of Plenty
Previous military serviceServed in Queen's Rifles Volunteers.
Enlistment date10 December 1914
Place of enlistmentTrentham
Rank on embarkationLance Corporal
Enlistment statusVolunteer
Unit nameNew Zealand Expeditionary Force, 3rd Reinforcements, Auckland Infantry Battalion
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Wellington on board HMNZT 4 Tahiti on 14 February 1915
Final rankSergeant
Final unit1st Battalion, Auckland Infantry Regiment
FateKilled in Action 26 July 1917
Age at death from cemetery records28
Place of burialMud Corner Cemetery (Plot II, Row C, Grave No 12), nr Ieper, Belgium
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: James and Margaret Frew, Oamaru
Medals

Distinguished Conduct Medal

'For conspicuous good work in throwing bombs and training bomb-throwers.'
Source: 'London Gazette'
Date: 3 June 1916

Mentioned in Despatches

'For distinguished and gallant services rendered during the period of General Sir C. Munro's command of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force.'
Source: 'London Gazette'
Date: 13 July 1916

Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Embarked Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, Gallipoli, 12 April 1915.

Appointed Lance Corporal, 25 April 1915; promoted Corporal, 31 August 1915; appointed Temporary Sergeant, 21 October 1915.

Disembarked Alexandria, 27 December 1915 (general Gallipoli evacuation).

Promoted Sergeant, 9 January 1916.

Embarked Port Said for France, 6 April 1916.

Mentioned in Despatches, 10 April 1916.

Awarded Distinguished Conduct Medal, 3 June 1916.

Attached to Headquarters, NZ Division (Divisional School), 25 October 1916; rejoined 1st Bn, in the field, 21 April 1917.

Killed in action, 26 July 1917.

Medals: Distinguished Conduct Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Miscellaneous detailsNominal Roll Vol. 1: Auckland Infantry Batln/Third
SourcesArchives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805