Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Nathan Borderick a bricklayer’s labourer, born 1872 in Syston, Leics., and his wife Margaret Ellen, born 1877 in Pickwell, Leics. Francis Thomas was born in 1896 in Wymondham, Leics., his siblings were, Frederick Harry, born 1898, Elizabeth O., born 1900 and Lilian May, born 1895, all his siblings were born in Syston, Leics., in March 1901 the family home was at Cramp Street, Syston, Leics. In April 1911 Francis was employed as a shoe worker and was residing in the family home at Melton Road, Syston, Leics., together with his father a labourer, his mother, and siblings, May, Harry, Elizabeth, Doris, born 1902, Alice, born 1904 and Tom, born 1908, the latter three siblings were all born in Syston, Leics. The War Diary for today records. D.20a.8.5. At 3.15am our preliminary bombardment started. At 5.50am our barrage opened and leading waves of the C and D Companies went over the top to time followed by B Company at distance of 100 yards. At 6.10am the 4th LINCOLNSHIRE REGT crossed our trench and went up in support. At 10.00am following message received by telephone, “half way to first objective, casualties light progressing satisfactorily”. At 6.20am first German prisoners began to come in helping many of our wounded. At 6.20am following message received. “First objectives taken, casualties light consolidation proceeding”. Consolidation proceeded with satisfactorily under rather heavy shell fire. We found all current emplacements smashed in by our artillery. We used B Company as defensive Company to our right flank. Our casualties up to now approximately 70 including Captain A. SILVER, 2nd Lt. J. C. SMITH. 11.30am news came through that the LINCOLNSHIRE REGT had taken all objectives and were consolidating. Our barrage fire continued practically all the day with all intensity hitherto unprecedented. The Germans also shelled the whole area continuously and our casualties mounted steadily. Battalion has moved to D.20a.8.5. 6.30pm owing to a misunderstanding certain troops holding front trenches in our Brigade sector were seen to withdraw. This unfortunately provided a more or less general retirement along the whole front. Although very few men of this Battalion left the trenches. By the efforts of officers the retirement was stopped at the old British front line and a general advance commenced. The trench system was all reoccupied and reorganisation of various units proceeded with by 7.45pm. During the day we captured 5 machine guns and 2 bomb throwers.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
The name recorded on the War Memorial is Thomas F Borderick, with the name recorded in the War Memorial Dedication document being Thomas Frederick Borderick. The correct name, as recorded on the family headstone in Syston Cemetery, is Francis Thomas (Frank) Borderick.

I have been told by a family member that the two first names used to record the fatality relate to two brothers, cousins of Francis. Thomas Borderick served with the Army Service Corps and survived the war unwounded, Francis Borderick served with the West Riding Regiment and, although wounded, survived the war.
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Submitted by P. Spooner 2015