Pte
Francis Graham
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 16/05/1875 |
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Place of birth: Watt Township, Muskoka District Municipality, Ontario, Canada |
General information
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Last known residence: Stratton, Ontario, Canada |
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Profession: Farmer |
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Religion: Presbyterian |
Army information
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Country: Canada |
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Force: Canadian Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 820310 |
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Enlistment date: 28/02/1916 |
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Enlistment place: Stratton, Ontario, Canada |
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Units: — Canadian Infantry, 44th Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 28/10/1917 |
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Place of death: Heine House, Passchendaele, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 42 |
Memorial
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Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial Panel: 28 |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 4
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Last known residence | ||
| #3 | Enlistment place | ||
| #4 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Francis Graham was the son of William and Jane Graham. He was born on 16 May 1875 in Watt Township, Ontario, Canada. Francis lived in Stratton, Ontario. He married Frances Laura Martin and together they had a son Frank. 41-year-old Francis enlisted in the Canadian Army in February 1916. At the time of his death, he was a part of the 44th Battalion.
Francis died on 28 October 1917. Two days before, on 26 October 1917, the Second Battle of Passchendaele, part of the Battle of Passchendaele, took place. At that time the 44th Battalion was near Van Isackere Farm. However, after the Second Battle of Passchendaele, Decline Copse was still in German hands. On 27 October, the 44th Battalion received orders to take Decline Copse. In doing so, they had to install strong positions along a line from Decline Copse to Passchendaele Road, which succeeded. On 28 October, troops were resupplied and casualties cleared. Throughout the day, the situation was normal, although German artillery was active. Around 8.25 pm, during the relief by the 85th Battalion, an SOS signal was sent out by the forward posts. The German troops had launched a counterattack and crossed the embankment along ANZAC side. The 44th Battalion managed to hold its ground but the German troops were able to penetrate the area behind it. All available men and also two platoons of the 85th Battalion were ordered to advance. The German soldiers were driven back and the posts restored as before. A new German counterattack could be averted with artillery fire thanks to an SOS signal. On 28 October, 16 men died, 59 were wounded and 11 went missing.
Among them was Francis Graham. He died at the age of 42. His body was not recovered or identified. His name is commemorated on the Menin Gate (panel 28).
Francis died on 28 October 1917. Two days before, on 26 October 1917, the Second Battle of Passchendaele, part of the Battle of Passchendaele, took place. At that time the 44th Battalion was near Van Isackere Farm. However, after the Second Battle of Passchendaele, Decline Copse was still in German hands. On 27 October, the 44th Battalion received orders to take Decline Copse. In doing so, they had to install strong positions along a line from Decline Copse to Passchendaele Road, which succeeded. On 28 October, troops were resupplied and casualties cleared. Throughout the day, the situation was normal, although German artillery was active. Around 8.25 pm, during the relief by the 85th Battalion, an SOS signal was sent out by the forward posts. The German troops had launched a counterattack and crossed the embankment along ANZAC side. The 44th Battalion managed to hold its ground but the German troops were able to penetrate the area behind it. All available men and also two platoons of the 85th Battalion were ordered to advance. The German soldiers were driven back and the posts restored as before. A new German counterattack could be averted with artillery fire thanks to an SOS signal. On 28 October, 16 men died, 59 were wounded and 11 went missing.
Among them was Francis Graham. He died at the age of 42. His body was not recovered or identified. His name is commemorated on the Menin Gate (panel 28).
Sources 6
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Christie, N.M. Slaughter in the mud, the Canadians at Passchendaele 1917 (The Acces to History Series number 4, CEF Books Nepean, Ontario, 2002), 12-14. Sources used |
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McCarthy, Chris. Passchendaele: The Day by Day Account (Londen: Arms & Armour Press, 1995), 145-146. Sources used |
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Nicholson, G.W.L. Canadian Expeditionary Force 1914-1919 : Official history of the Canadian army in the First World War (Ottawa, Department of National Defence, 1964), 318-320. Sources used |
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Personnel Records of the First World War (Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa (LAC) RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 3699-40). https://library-archives.canada.ca/ Sources used |
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War diaries: 15th Canadian Infantry Battalion (Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa (LAC), RG9-III-D-3, Volume number: 4939, Microfilm reel number: T-10745, File number: 435). https://library-archives.canada.ca/ Sources used |
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War Graves Registers: Circumstances of Death (Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa (LAC), RG 150, 1992-93/314; Volume Number: 41-185). https://library-archives.canada.ca/ Sources used |
More information 4
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/1592579 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=ff3a69fe-8e1e-4630-93f7-7f1d5cd2811d |
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The Canadian Virtual War Memorial https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/detail/1592579 |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/5905410 |