WWI Sole Issue BWM. White. Bournemouth. 9th Cyclist Battalion Hampshire Regiment, served India.

Correctly named 355744 Pte FG White Hamps R

Born in Lymington in 1880 to Albert and Ada, we find Francis in 1891 living at 94 Church Lane in Lymington.

We see he married Flora May Card in 1901 and it is noted he is working as a carman.

In 1911, whilst living at ‘Lymington’ Guest Avenue in Bournemouth, Francis is working as a shop assisntant for a corn merchants.

He enlists into the Hampshire Regiment and his service begins in December 1914. He is with the 9Bn (Cyclists).

He serves in the UK until he is sent to Bombay, India in February 1916. Here he remains until November 1919.

His records survive and they tell us he also held the service number 1149 with the Hampshires and later he transfers to 11th Bn Somerset Light Infantry. Records get confused here as his MIC states him to go to the 1st Garrison Bn, South Staffordshire Regiment with the service number 204875 and no record of the Somerset Light Infantry.

He returned from India and is discharged in December 1919, for his service in WWI he was awarded the sole BWM.

We find him in 1939 now living at 45 Wroxham Road in Poole, Dorset.

Francis died in 1970 with his address being * Oakdale Road, Poole.

The medal has an original silk ribbon.