Leslie John Morgan Francis

Leslie was born in Abergavenny on 14th April 1900. In 1911 he was living at 5 Plassey Square with his parents Edgar Howell and Florence Edith Francis and brothers Benjamin and Charlie. From Navy records – mother Florence E, 5 Plassey Square, Penarth. Leslie served in the Royal Navy as a Boy Telegraphist aboard HMS Laforey (service number J/51527). He was killed in action on 23rd March 1917 aged 16 when his ship was sunk while on patrol off the East Coast, and is commemorated on Panel 22, Plymouth Naval Memorial. He was a messenger in the GPO, Penarth before the war, a bugler in U.T.C. and a member of Christchurch Congregational Church