Francis King

The Battalion arrived at Rouen on the 14/08/1914 and were part of the 7th Brigade, 3rd Division when Francis fell. Francis enlisted in the Army on the 21st May 1897. Initially he joined the 26th Foot (Scottish Rifles) but quickly transferred to the Royal Irish Rifles and served 2 years in South Africa followed by 5 years in India before returning home to join the Reserve in 1905. Francis then lodged with Mr and Mrs Curtis for 7 years working in the Phoenix Iron Works and Clifton Iron Works before being recalled to the Royal Irish Rifles at the outbreak of war. He arrived in France on the 11/11/1914 and was killed along with a comrade during a German counter attack near Kemmel. SEE PHOTOS x 19 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY 1st NOVEMBER 1914 - 7th MARCH 1915. Francis is listed as PRIVATE on the Coatbridge Memorial and Service Number is 8373 and his name is R. King with the CWGC and on his Grave (Service Number 9373 on all other documents). Kemmel Chateau was north-east of Kemmel village and the Cemetery was established on the north side of the chateau grounds in December 1914. It continued to be used by Divisions fighting on the southern sectors of the Belgian front until March 1918, when after fierce fighting involving both Commonwealth and French forces, the village and Cemetery fell into German hands in late April. The Cemetery was retaken later in the year, but in the interval it was badly shelled and the old chateau destroyed. Francis is also remembered in the St. Patrick's Church (book) Roll of Honour and on the St. Helens War Memorial in Lancashire (see photos). See photos for Francis' Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clipping, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his listing in the Ireland Casualties WW1, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report, Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, his original Regiment the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) Cap Badge, the Royal Irish Rifles Cap Badge and the 3rd Division Order of Battle x 12 (the Division he was with when he died).