Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Frank Belcher a Farm Labourer, born 1870 in Oddstone, Leics., and his wife Eliza, born 1871 in Moira, Leics. Francis Joseph was born in 1897 in Measham, Leics., his siblings were Mary E., born 1891 in Willesley, Leics., and Alice M., born 1895 in Hicks Lodge, Leics., in March 1901 the family home was at Newfield Farm, Ashby Wolds, Moira, Leics., in the Ecclesiastical Parish of Donisthorpe, St. John. In April 1911 Francis was employed as a Farm Labourer and was residing in the family home at Cockspen Row, Donisthorpe, Leics., together with his parents and brother William, born 1906 in Moira, Leics. The War Diary for today records that the Battalion were in the Magny la Fosse sector. At Zero plus 20 minutes the Battalion advanced (being in support to the 2nd Sherwood Foresters and the 9th Norfolk Regiment) in artillery formation. B and C Coys followed the reserve Coys of the Norfolk Regiment and Sherwood Foresters and waited at their destination in 17.b and d. (Sunken Road) -?- immediately consolidated, A and D Coys leapfrogged through B and C leaving Doon Mill on right and left -?- A Coy to keep position in support of the 9th Norfolk Regiment on 1.3.c., their first line being about 1.3.c. 80.10 -?- second line in Sunken Road 1.3.c. 10.60. D Coy -?- approaching level with Doon Mill were directed by Officer Commanding the Sherwood Foresters to -?- his Battalion and proceeded to hold a portion of front line about 1.10.a. 60.30. B and C Coys on relief by the 11th Essex Regiment about 14.00hrs -?- as follows:- C Coy to high ground south east of Doon Mill about 1.8.b. 80.20. B Coy to Sunken Road 1.2.c. 80.40 and 1.2.c. 30.80. Battalion HQ’s 1.8.c. 40.30 in Sunken Road. The Battalion remained in these positions for the remainder of the day. About 350 prisoners came down during the day, casualties 4 officers (Lieutenant Thomas, 2nd Lieutenant Marshall, 2nd Lieutenant Nixon and 2nd Lieutenant Paterson) 100 other ranks approximately. The day was fine, enemy retaliation on the whole slight. During the night -?- -?- -?- -?- were received, but eventually at 03.00hrs 9/8/18 the Brigade Major -?- operational orders and gave verbal instructions of same to Commanding Officers. Casualties, other ranks A Company 15 wounded. B Comapany 1 killed, 17 wounded. C Company 4 killed, 17 wounded. D Company 8 killed, 25 wounded.