Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Francis John Briggs, born on the 16th January 1868 in Staunton Harold, Leicestershire and baptised on the 16th February 1868 in the Church of St. Michael with St. Mary’s, Melbourne, Derbyshire (son of William Briggs, 1832-1908 and Emma Judd, 1836-1917) and his wife Ruth Briggs (nee Blundell, married on the 11th August 1889 in Holy Trinity Church, Redditch, Worcestershire) born in the January quarter of 1867 in Redditch (daughter of William Blundell, 1826-1905 and Aminda Simons, 1839-1920). Francis was born in the October quarter of 1893 in Windsorton, Kimberley, Cape Province, South Africa.
His elder brother Frederick William, fell in action on the 5th July 1916.
FAMILY NOTES:
Francis’s mother died aged 39 years, on the 15th March 1906 at 13, Mount Street, Redditch, his widowed father married Ada Foster on the 24th March 1923 in St. Paul’s Church, Beaconsfield, Western Australia., Ada was born on the 1st April 1893 in Alcester (daughter of John Henry Foster, 1850-1935 and Lavinia Simons, 1860-1932). Francis and Ada had the following children, John Maurice, born on the 20th April 1924 in Fremantle, Western Australia, Harry Esmund, born 1927 in Alcester, Warwickshire and Ann Margaret, born on the 11th July 1934 in Bournemouth, Hampshire.
Francis also had the following siblings, Frederick William, born 1893 in Windsorton, Kimberley, Cape Province, Ida Mary, born 1895 and Alice Lilian, born in the October quarter of 1896 in Redditch.
Francis enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force on the 14th September 1914 at Blackboy Hill, Western Australia, being assigned to the 12th Battalion Australian Infantry, and was allotted the service number 778. He gave his place of birth as Windsorton, Kimberley, South Africa. His age as 20 years 11 months, his trade or calling as labourer and marital status as unmarried.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Francis John Briggs, 23, Lilley Street, Fremantle, Western Australia. 616, Edmund Street, Fremantle, Western Australia. Beaconsfield Hotel, Fremantle, Western Australia. 178, Hampton Road, Fremantle, Western Australia.
His Description on Enlistment records: Age 20 years 11 months, height 5-feet 7 inches, weight 140, chest measurement 36 inches, complexion fair, eyes light brown, hair brown and Religious Denomination Church of England. Distinctive marks 2 tattoo spots on right forearm.
He was considered fit for active service on the 14th September 1914 in Blackboy Hill.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Posted. To “G” Company, 12th Bn. Australian Infantry. Blackboy Hill. 6/10/14.
Embarked. 31/10/14.
Embarked. At Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force at Gallipoli per H.M.T. Devanha. 2/3/15.
Reported. Missing in action. In the Field. Dardanelles. 25-28/4/15.
Previously reported missing, now reported killed in action. 25/4/15.
Court of Inquiry report dated 5/6/16. Missing now reported killed in action. Dardanelles. 25/4/15.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
The circumstances of his death in action seem somewhat uncertain, and the dates vary between the 25th and 28th April 1915, the Board of Inquiry examining the report that Francis was previously reported missing, now reported killed in action, records the following: -
“Informant states on one day between the 29th April and the 2nd May 1915 at Anzac near Quinn’s Post he was in trenches and saw Briggs shot in the head. He was dead. Informant knew Briggs well and says he could not possibly be mistaken.” The informant was No.1239, Private H. R. Stanley, 12th Australian Infantry, B Company, VI Platoon, Harefield Hospital, Middlesex, England, dated 3rd February 1916.
“Informant states that if Briggs is a Corporal (and that was the only Briggs in his Company and the number agrees) he was missing after the landing at Gallipoli, but was afterwards found at a hospital in Egypt, he re-joined at the Base in France and then went up to join the Unit, the first week in August. Informant has been in his company several times.” The informant was No.953, Private McTondoe, 12th A.I.F., Kitchener’s Hospital, Brighton, England, dated 26th September 1916.
“Informant knew deceased by sight, and was an eyewitness to his death. Description: - was a Corporal, well built, smart and clean, about 5’8” in height, and between 28 and 30 years of age. He was called Roy by all the men in his Platoon. Informant saw him hit by a sniper through the head on Monday April 26th 1915. He died immediately and without much suffering. This was in the centre of the line at Lone Pine. Informant knows nothing at all of the burial of deceased and cannot refer to any persons who would be likely to know.” Informant Lieutenant H. Lambert, M.C., Headquarters A.I.F., Adelaide, South Australia.
The War Diary records: 24-25 Apr-15 – GALLIPOLI – 12 Midnight. Transferred to Destroyers.
25 Apr-15 – GALLIPOLI – 4.00am. Landed at ANZAC COVE. See Detailed report.
APPENDIX III.
Night of 24/25th April 1915.
Distribution of 12th Battalion on Destroyers.
Transport “Devahna” Headquarters. Machine Gun Section “A” Company. Destroyer “RIBBLE.”
Transport “Ionian” “B” Company, 5 and 8 Platoons. Destroyer “SCOURGE.”
Transport “Ionian” “B” Company, 6 and 7 Platoons. Destroyer “FOXHOUND.”
Transport “Maida” “C” Company 9 and 10 Platoons. Destroyer “COLNE.”
Transport “Maida” “C” Company 11 and 12 Platoons. Destroyer “BEAGLE.”
Transport “Suffolk” “D” Company 13 and 14 Platoons. Destroyer “CHELMER.”
Transport “Suffolk” “D” Company 15 and 16 Platoons. Destroyer “USK.”
APPENDIX IV.
12th Battalion, 3rd Infantry Brigade.
Account of action 25th April 1915, Anzac Cove, Gallipoli Peninsula.
Reference Map No.1 Gallipoli General.
Owing to the 1th Battalion being distributed amongst the three other Battalions of the Brigade no organisation on landing was possible. The following account has been compiled from information received from the various Companies: -
The battalion as shown in Appendix III landed about 4.10am on the morning of the 25th April 1915 at ANZAC COVE, Gallipoli Peninsula. While loading from destroyers to boats we were heavily shelled from KABA TEPE and on landing met heavy Machine Gun and rifle fire, from the direction of FISHERMAN’S HUT. Large number of casualties on and before landing. The order of landing from left to right was Headquarters and “A,” “D,” and “C” Companies.
“A” Company with two platoons of “D” Company pushed forward to first Ridge S.9.224.H.1. Enemy encountered. Bayonet charge made enemy retire from their trenches, to Ridge 1000 yards away. We pursued and opened fire 350 yards from ridge. Here Colonel L. F. CLARKE, Commanding Officer was killed while writing message. Major C. H. ELLIOTT also wounded, Captain LALOR “D” Company took command, pushed forward over Ridge. Enemy discovered in strong force attempting to get around our flank. We retired but meeting reinforcements from 2nd Battalion advanced again. Eventually forced to fall back on to defensive line which was being built up. Captain LALOR and Lieutenant PATTERSON were killed during the advance with 2nd Battalion.
Remaining two platoons of “D” Company sent to right flank by Captain ROSS to assist in repelling counter-attack. Reinforced by 7th Battalion and moved further to the right and joined 9th Battalion. The extreme right at 2.00pm was enfiladed by enemy’s artillery but no ground was lost. Remnants returned to beach during the night.
“B” Company two platoons under Major SMITH went forward to centre of position. Numbers 5 and 8 were sent to left. Reached S.9.224.R.5 at about 9.00am and reinforced 10th Battalion who were occupying enemy’s trench. Opened fire on enemy advancing up gulley and held position till 8.00pm, relieved by 4th Brigade and returned to beach. Losses heavy owing to being enfiladed by enemy’s artillery from the left.
“C” Company under Captain WHITHAM were sent out to extreme right flank to reinforce 9th Battalion pushed forward and met enemy about S.9.224.S.5 retired to Ridge S.9.224.R.7 during this action Lieutenant MUNRO killed. Captain WHITHAM wounded, remained in position all night, returned to beach 9.00am on 26th.
APPENDIX V.
Casualties.
25/4/15. Killed Colonel L. F. CLARK, Captain J. P. LALOR, Lieutenant G. A. MUNRO, Lieutenant P. J. PATTERSON.
28/4/15. Died of wounds. Lieutenant J. L. C. BOOTH.
25/4/15. Wounded. Colonel S. HAWLEY, Captain J. NORTHCOTE, Lieutenant W. H. ROOM, Major W. J. STEWART, Major C. H. ELLIOTT, Lieutenant W. L. FERGUSON, Lieutenant A. GREEN, Lieutenant H. A. McPHERSON, Lieutenant J. A. FOSTER, Lieutenant H. A. MASSLEY, Captain J. L. WHITHAM, Lieutenant J. HOLLAND, Lieutenant A. H. MAJER, Lieutenant N. D. FEATHERS, Lieutenant E. Y. BUTLER, Lieutenant J. E. EVANS.
19/5/15. Lieutenant H. C. ORBELL.
Other Ranks. Killed 25. Wounded 286. Missing 90.
Total strength of 12th Battalion on HMS Devhana 24/4/15. Officers 31. Other Ranks 990.
Left on board. Officers 3. Other Ranks 117.
Brought on shore. Officers 28. Other Ranks 873.
Roll Call. Officers 8. Other Ranks 472.
Absent. Officers 21. Other Ranks 401.
Totals. Officers 29. Other Ranks 873.
Less Lieutenant TAYLOR of 4th Battalion who joined 12th Battalion with reinforcements.
Totals. Officers 1. Other Ranks 873.
On the 24th September 1917, a War Pension was awarded to Francis’s father, Francis John Briggs, of fifteen shillings, payable fortnightly, this was in addition to twenty-five shillings already granted in respect to Frederick William Briggs, making the fortnightly pension forty shillings and nine pence.
A letter dated the 8th July 1921 from Francis’s father, residing at the Beaconsfield Hotel, Fremantle, to the Officer in Charge of Base Records, Victoria Barracks, Melbourne, records the following: -
“Sir, I beg to state that I have not been able to hear of any one who could give me definite information about the death of my son. I saw notes of evidence obtained by the Red Cross -?-, but the deponents were unknown to me and their statements did not appear to refer to my son. I have seen Ptes Grathro and Mason who were in the same -?- and they last saw him on the beach at Anzac. His disc was sent to me by Base Records Tel el Kebir, Egypt. That is all I know and there does not seem to be any hope of finding out more. Thanking you for the enquiry. Yours respectfully F. J. Briggs.”
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