Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Samuel Sheldon Black, an ironstone labourer, born 1857 in Frisby on the Wreake, Leicestershire and his wife Sarah Ann Black (nee Jalland, married on the 8th March 1877 in the Parish Church, Old Dalby), born on the 4th March 1860 in Old Dalby, Leicestershire. Francis Sheldon was born on the 16th May 1899 in Old Dalby, he had one sibling, a brother Herbert Henry, born 1891 in Old Dalby, in March 1901 the family home was at High Street, Dalby on the Wolds, Leicestershire. In April 1911 Francis was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at Old Dalby, together with his father, an ironstone labourer, hewer, his mother and brother Thomas, a grazier, born 25th April 1877 in Dalby. Francis also had the following older siblings, John William, born 1878 and baptised on the 17th November 1878 in the Parish Church, Old Dalby, Frederick Arthur, born on the 22nd January 1881 and baptised on the 20th February 1881 in the Parish Church, Old Dalby, Bishop, born 1884 and Mary Jane, born 1887, all his siblings were born in Dalby.
Francis’s Army enlistment documents do not survive, all that is known of his military service is that he enlisted into the Regular Army, and was first posted to the Training Reserve Battalion being allotted the service number T.R./5/3630, at some point he was transferred as a Private to the Northumberland Fusiliers and it has to assumed that it was with this unit that he first entered the theatre of war in France on a date unknown, but it would certainly have been after the 31st December 1915. He was serving with the 1/6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, in XIII Platoon of “D” Company, when he was reported missing in action on the 27th May 1918, it was subsequently confirmed that he had been taken as a Prisoner of War and he died whilst in captivity, at the War Hospital, Notre Dame de Liesse on the 8th June 1918. He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
The War Diary records: 27 May-18 – LINE. 1.00am. Enemy put down a barrage of extraordinary intensity on the whole area – mixed High Explosive and gas. The fire was very accurate and caused heavy casualties to the troops “Standing to.” Counter battery work was very effective in putting many of our guns out of action. All communications with Brigade Headquarters were cut off by 3.00am.
3.45am. Enemy attacked all along the line. The first attacks appear to have been in a South Easterly direction parallel with Route 44.
4.15am. Battalion Line came into action, and this time counter battery work had been so successful that our artillery was totally ineffective in supporting the infantry.
4.45am. The Battle Line was taken in the Rear from the direction of LA VILLE AU BOIS. No one returned from the Centre and Right Companies of this line. Remainder of the Left Company under Lieutenant Colonel GIBSON. 4th NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS withdrew at 5.00am. This party consisted of 40 men.
5.30am. Redoubt line and P.C. KLEBER outflanked and cut off from BOIS DE BUTTES.
8.00am. Remainder of Battalion formed part of Composite Brigade which withdrew to CHAUDARDS.
8.30am. All details at Transport Lines billeted in CONCEVREUX organised under Major ROBB 4th NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS and Major ROGERS.
9.00am. Enemy crossed PONTAVERT Bridges and advanced down both banks of the Canal.
10.00am. Party in CHAUDARDES withdrew across AISNE owing to enemy advance on to high ground to North West and advanced down River from PONTAVERT.
Details and remainder of Brigade organised on line CONCEVREUX Bridge – Canal Bank – Bridge at 47.47 (BERRY AU BAC 1/20.000) thence to West end of Wood.
28-29-30-31-May-18 - Driven from this line about 4.00pm. The remnants of the Battalion now incorporated in Composite Companies and submerged in other Divisions including 8th, 21st and 25th Divisions, took part in rearguard actions until the end of the month.
Casualties for the month of May. Other Ranks.
Killed in action. 8.
Wounded. 71.
Missing. 541.
Wounded and Missing. 12.
On Friday July 12th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “OLD DALBY.” – WAR NOTES. – Mr. and Mrs. S. Black have received news that their youngest son, Pte. Francis Black, of the Northumberland Fusiliers, is missing. Any information will be gratefully received.
On Monday 23rd December 1918 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL NEWS.” – DIED IN GERMANY. – Francis Black, No.75537, Northumberland Fusiliers wounded and taken prisoner May 27, died of wounds in Germany on June 8. Prior to joining up he resided with his uncle, Mr. W. W. Black, 118, Belgrave-road, and his parents live at Old Dalby.
On Friday December 27th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “OLD DALBY.” – DIED IN GERMANY. – Francis Black, No. 75537, Northumberland Fusiliers., wounded and taken prisoner May 27th, died of wounds in Germany on June 8th. Prior to joining up he resided with his uncle, Mr. W. W. Black, 118, Belgrave-road, Leicester, and his parents live at Old Dalby.