Private James Snelgrove Francis was born in London, England on June 28, 1883. In 1900, he immigrated to Canada. A few years later, on April 3, 1909, he married his wife, Marie Gebhardt. The couple lived in Kitchener and welcomed a daughter, Louise, shortly after their marriage.
In 1915, at the age of 32, James enlisted in the army as a member of the 2nd Canadian Pioneer Battalion. At the time of his enlistment, he was employed as a telephone lineman. He was a member of the Lutheran church.
James died on January 27, 1919 in London, Ontario. He was 35 at the time of his death. The cause of death was related to injuries sustained during the war, likely gas poisoning. He is buried in Kitchener.
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Source Organization
Kitchener Public Library
Collection
Soldier Information Cards - World War One
Transcription
Frances, T. S.
Private.
His home was in Kitchener.
He was killed in action.