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Note: CHRONOLOGICAL SEQUENCE OF WAR RECORD
1. 1st October 1939 Enlisted in Birmingham in the Militia.
2. 24th January 1941 Trade re-classified as Tinsmith Group C, Class II.
3. 21st April 1941 Approved for part-paid L/Cpl with clasp, but dated 23rd August 1941 (4 months later).
4. 16th December 1941 Paid first subscription to Corporals Mess.
5. 20th December 1941 Trade re-classified as Tinsmith Group C, Class I, dated 27th January 1942.
6. 14th April 1942 L/Cpl Francis posted to Advance Ordnance Workshops on orders dated 12.4.42.
7. 1st August 1942 Attended hospital. L/Cpl aged 23 years.
8. 10th August 1942 L/Cpl Francis moved to Coy. Workshop. (See also letter to Beatrice Francis, mother)
9. 14th October 1942 Transferred to the R.E.M.E. orders dated 1st October 1942.
10. 31rd October 1942 Promoted Acting Paid Corporal, back dated to 12th October 1942.
11. 12th January 1943 Promoted to the War Subs rank of Corporal from 16th January 1943
12. 14th January 1943 Trade re-classified as Sheet Metal Worker, Group B, Class I, effective from 23rd January 1943.
13. 15th January 1944 Promoted to Acting Paid Sergeant but backdated to 15th November 1943.
14. 31st May 1944 Granted WS Rank of Sergeant but backdated to 13.5.44
15. 22nd July 1944 Went to ENT specialist in hospital suffering acute catarrh.
16. 9th February 1945 Promoted to Acting Unpaid Staff Sergeant but backdated to 19th January 1945.
17. 22nd June 1945 Reverted back to WS Sergeant being 27 days short of S/Sgt rank being granted.
18. 13th September 1945 Took 48 hours leave.
19. 15th October 1945 10-days Prin(?) Leave
20. 7th January 1946 10-days Prin Leave
21. 20th January 1946 7-days compassionate leave.
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Wartime address:
8 Moat House Road
Alum Rock
Birmingham,8.
1. Source: SOLDIER'S PAY BOOK
Army Number 7613971
Surname FRANCIS
Chris. Name Leslie Walter
Date of Birth 25-4-1919
Parish Ward End
Town Birmingham
County Warwickshire
Trade Sheet Metal Worker
Nationality of Father British
Nationality of Mother British
Religion C of E
Enlisted at Birmingham On 1/11/39
For the Militia
Page 4. Paticulars of Training
21.11.42 -28.11.42 7 Days leave
Gas Chamber Test M.E.F 13.9.43
Authorised to wear 5
War-Service chevrons
as per M.E.G.A. 310.1944 20.2.45
Authorised to wear Africa
Star without Army clasp 13.3.45
PT II Order "AFRICA STAR
N� 12 d/ 5/3/45
RECORD OF EMPLOYMENT AS AN ARMY TRADESMAN
Trade Group Class Remarks Date Initials CO
Tinsmith C II Reclassified Pt II Orders
no 16 d/24.1.41 5129857 10 .1.41 Capt. " C II Appvd p/Pd L'Cpl w cl 21.4.41 PtIIO/151/RAOC/ME 23.8.41 Major
" C I TT & Reclassified (AFW3011/148/1 d/20.12.41) 27.1.42 Lieut. Promoted A / Paid / Cpl Vide AFW 3011 d.
31.10.42 wef 12.10.42 Transferred to R.E.M.E. vide PtII 1.10.42
142 a/ 14.10.42
Promoted to the War Subs rank
of Corporal, A F W 3011 d/16.1.43 wef 12.1.43 Capt
Trade Tested & Remustered Sheet Metal Worker
Group "B" "Class I" Vide AFW 3011 Serial 29/2
dated 23.1.43 wef 14.1.43
(PTO. 378 d/d 5 Mar 43 signature)
P.T.O. N�175 Promoted A / P / Sgt
d/d 15/1/44
R.E.M.E. M.E wef 15/11/43
P.T.O.1746 Granted WS Rank of Sgt. wef 13/5/44
d/d 31/5/44
Promoted A/ U / S/Sgt wef 19 Jan 45 & A / P / S/Sgt on
9 Feb '45 wef 19 Jan 1945 vide O2E(ME) REME PTO
916 of 11/4/45 Lieut. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INSERTED LABEL:
Date Nature of Leave F.W. Initials
13.9.45 - 14.9.45 48 hrs V.S. leave No
15.10.45-25.10.45 10 Days Prin Leave
24 hrs 3rd VE Yes 7.1.46-16.1.46 10 Days Prin Leave Yes
20.2.46-27.46 7 Days Comp. Leave No
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Reverts to W/S Rank of Sgt
on posting to XIV List wef 22 June 1945
16 Jul-17 Aug Dismeter (sp?) VE Yes
There folows a list of Duty Labels, Medical Check-ups and Vaccinations.
See original...
2. Source: RECEIPT
CORPORALS MESS
RECEIVED of Corporal Francis this 16 day of Dec.1941 th sum of
25 PT. being agreed First Subscription
C H Edworthy Tres.
3. Source: POSTING SLIP
Subject: Posting In the Field
OFP/14 14.4.42 This will authorise 7613971 L/Cpl. Francis to proceed to 503
Adv. Ord. W/Shops, authority HQ/8A/10833/18/OS dated
12.4.42 from Rear H.Q., 8th Army.
signature G Leaward
Capt.
O.C. 2nd Armoured Division O.F.P.
4. Source: Misc NOTE
504 OWE RAOC 1.8.42
7613471 L/Cpl Francis 23
Would surgeon advise re category of this patient please?
He was graded B.I. owing to a vancoule (sp?) Bremer Capt RAMC
N� 8 Cluwer (Sp?) Hospital
This man's vancoule means he's unsuitable
for ??? in the forward ???
5. Source: MOVEMENT ORDER
SECRET 504 Ordnance Workshop Company Movement Order N� OWC/S AOW/ REGT/S
10th August 1942 C.C.
7, Ord. Wkshop Coy
Copy to :- C.1/c/ G.H.Q., O.2.E. M.E.F.
Regtl. C.O.7, B.O.W. N� 7613971 L/Cpl Francis L W 1. The undermentioned personel are posted to 7, Ord. Wkshop
Coy. in replacement of equivalent tradesmen. 7613971 L/Cpl. Francis LW Tinsmith Class I 7629737 Pta. Moores J Motor Mech. Class III Authority:- CR02E/116/4/RF dated 22.7.42 2. O.O. 504 Ord. Wkshop Coy. will arrange transport to Main
Wkshops, 7, B.O.W. 3. Personnel will travel fully armed and equiped including
40 rounds S.A.A. and two blankets each. 4. The unexpired portion of the day's rations will be taken.
5. The original copy of this movement order will be carried
by L/Cpl. Francis and will be handed to the C.C.7, Ord. Wkshop Coy. on arrival. J.Carmichael
Major,
504 Ordnance Workshop Company.
6. Source: Misc. DOCUMENT
7613971 Sgt. FRANCIS N�1 W/S Coy. REME
Age 25 yrs Service 3 7/12 The above named patient has been
sent to see the E.N.T. Specialist at N�3 Hospital at --- hours on 22 July 44 Suffers from Chronic Cararrh EnT 3GH 22 July
I suggested a vaccine - I've This patient is Suffering from a pure
tried most things - but would allergic shinitis -There is no evidence
you please see him and advise? of any infection present. - I know of no
treatment which will give permanent releif. The #### of ephedune(sp?) work shops our##nially (sp?) will and #uin. I have explained the situation to (signature) Capt. him.
22.7.44
7. Source: LETTER FROM NATIVE EMPLOYEE (sp =)
Dear Sir Staff Francis
Please my Dear sir that I been absent a Long time because that I am very sick and If you please can give the money to Abraham for he gets my pay.
I am Michel Amin Aby Saleh
The Welder
Give my pay to Abraham el Sayeid Khatab and Thank's you very much.
Michel Aby Saleh.
8. Source: LETTER FROM NATIVE EMPLOYEES (sp =)
Dear Sir, the Staff Sagen
I have great honour to speak on behalf of our colleages and on behalf of our forman in order to explain our feelings towards you on this occasion.
We are very sorry no doubt for your departure, because you have left among us very deep effect in our hearts, as well as a very good remembrance for the ideal chief, both in character and treatment which we never forget.
In the mean-time we feel with great pleasure in case we are sharing you your rejoice & gladness for returning back home where you are going to be welcomed from relatives and friends. And as long as war has been finished and flags of peace and liberty are flapping all over the Kingdom, the fact that will double your joy and glad for this good opportunity.
Dear, Staff Sergen,
accept our deeply congratulations and don't forget us while you are at home.
20.6.1945 Lewis Todary George
9. Source: PAYSLIP
Payment of �21 up to and including 13.8.45 made stamped 20.6.45
10. Source:PAYFORM
Same details as Payslip above.
11. Source: CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER TO THE ARMY RESERVE
7613971 Sgt Francis. REME
Transferred wef 26.6.46 Stamped REME Records Office, Leicester and
dated 21.3.46
12. Source: SMALL BOX CONTAINING MEDALS
Addressed: Mr L W Francis
654 Alum Rock Road Alum Rock Birmingham, 8. From: REME Records (Medals)
Anstey Lane Leicester. Containing Certificate and 4 Medals:
a. The Defence Medal
b. 1939-1945 War Medal
c. The 1939-1945 Star
d. The Africa Star
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