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2nd Lieutenant Francis William GROUND
44th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) Date of birth: 10th April 1885 Date of death: 25th April 1917 Killed in action aged 32 Commemorated on the Arras Memorial Bay 10
Francis William Ground was born at Forest Hill in South East London on the 10th of April 1885 the only son of William Ground, an accountant, and Hettie (nee Gosling) Ground of Castle Close, Sandgate in Kent and later of 33 Canterbury Road, Ashford. He was christened at Christ Church, Folkestone on the 1st of July 1885. He was educated at Lancing College where he was in School House from May 1898 to July 1903. He was a member of the Cricket XI in 1903 and a member of the Football XI from 1901 to 1903 being Captain in 1902/03. He was Captain of the Shooting VIII in 1902 and 1903 and was Captain of Fives in 1902. He was a member of the Shakespearian Society and was a member of the Shooting VIII in 1902. He was appointed as a House Captain in 1900, as a Prefect in 1901 and as Captain of School in September 1902. He was a member of the Football XI in 1900/1901 and was awarded his football colours on the 19th of November 1901. The Lancing Magazine of March 1902 wrote the following:- "Though not a conspicuous player, has been the mainstay of the defence. Goes hard and tackles splendidly. Is often nervous at the commencement of the game, and kicks wildly. With increased pace, should be very useful next year." He was Captain of the Football XI in 1902/03 and was a member of the Officer Training Corps. On leaving school he became a Chartered Accountant, working as Partner to Mr. George Pye at 116 Fore Street, London. Following the outbreak of war he enlisted into the army at Westminster as Private 1560 in the 18th (Service) Battalion Royal Fusiliers (1st Public Schools), University and Public School Corps on the 3rd of September 1914. On the 15th of September he underwent a medical examination where it was recorded that he was five feet ten inches tall and that he weighed 147lbs. It was also recorded that he had a swarthy complexion, brown eyes and black hair. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on the 5th of February 1915, to Corporal on the 8th of May 1915 and to Sergeant on the 4th of June 1915. He embarked for France with his battalion from Folkestone at 8.15 am on the 14th of November 1915 on board the SS "Princess Victoria" destined for Boulogne but due to floating mines in the harbour mouth they were diverted to Calais where they landed at 11.15am the same day. On the 15th of March 1916 he applied for a commission in the infantry and left for England for officer training on the 11th of April 1916, landing there on the 13th of April from where he reported to No. 5 Officer Cadet Battalion at Trinity College Cambridge the following day. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Machine Gun Corps on the 20th of September 1916 and underwent further training at Grantham before receiving orders to proceed to France on the 9th of December. He embarked for France at Folkestone on the 16th of December 1916 and landed at Boulogne the same from where he went to Camiers later that day. He was posted to the 44th Machine Gun Company on the 28th of December and joined them in field at Shelter Wood, near Martinpuich on the Somme the same day. On the 23rd of April 1917 the 44th Machine Gun Company Machine Gun Corps was part of the ongoing Battle of Arras. Their Brigade's objective that day was the village of Guemappe and they attacked at 4.45am. The village was captured, lost and recaptured during a day of heavy fighting in which Francis Ground was in command of two guns in support of the 8/10th Battalion Gordon Highlanders . At the end of the day they were relieved by 46th Brigade who continued the attack and advanced a further 200 yards. The 24th passed quietly and on the 25th of April Francis Ground and his gun teams moved forward to once again support the Gordon Highlanders. He was killed while directing the fire of his guns on the enemy. His mother received the following telegram dated the 29th of April 1917: - "Deeply regret to inform you that 2/Lt F.W. Ground 44 Company Machine Gun Corps was killed in action April twenty third (sic) The Army Council express their sympathy." His Commanding Officer wrote:- “He was greatly loved by both officers and men. As Adjutant of the company he worked hard always for the comfort and welfare of the men, and died at the post of duty.” A brother officer wrote:- “The highest praise I have for anyone is to call him a man, and that is what he was.” His servant wrote:- “I cannot express in words the feelings that he was regarded with by everyone. He was in the opinion of all, a splendid officer and a worthy gentleman.” At the time of his death he was engaged to be married to Miss Ella Ritherdon of Cambridge Road, Bromley. He is commemorated on the war memorial at St Augustine's Church, Grove Park, Lewisham.

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