246323 2nd.Lt. Francis Hugill Dinsley British Army 2nd Btn. Coldstream Guards from:Sharnbrook (d.8th March 1919) Francis Dinsley was born on 9th September 1898 in Grendon, Northamptshire, the only son of Charles Frederick and Frances Louisa Dinsley of Harrold, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire. The family moved to Sharnbrook and Francis was educated at Harrold Lower school and Bedford Modern school. In May 1917 he enlisted with the Household Battalion, he was commissioned in June 1918 and attached to 4th Coldstream Guards. On 23rd of November 1918 he served with the Expeditionary Force in France and on 24th of December 1918 with the Army of occupation in Germany. He transferred to 2nd Battalion, fell ill almost immediately and returned to the UK. He died on 8th of March 1919 age 20 years at No.3 London General Military Hospital, Wandsworth from pneumonia contracted whilst on active service. He is buried in St Peter and All Saints church. His commanding officer of the 4th Battalion wrote: "Everything he did he did with all his might and was so wonderfully keen. He did a great deal for the comfort and amusement of the men, and was greatly liked and respected by them". As a pupil of Bedford Modern School 1911-16, he is commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com.
|