Name
Francis Edwin Dukes
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
19/08/1917
34
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Corporal
18549
Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry
5th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Panel 96 to 98.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Watford memorials
Pre War
Son of Job Charles DUKES of Watford, and the late Mary Ann (nee GIBSON) DUKES; husband of Bertha (nee FRANCIS) DUKES of Stokenchurch, Bucks.
His parents married 20 January 1879 at St Mary’s, Watford. Mary died 1904 in Watford aged 47, and was buried 10 May in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Job died 1937 in Watford aged 81, and was buried 14 December, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
Francis was born in Watford, and baptised 22 August 1883 at St Mary’s, Watford. He married 1909 in the Wycombe, Bucks, district; they had four children. Bertha remarried 1927 in the Wycombe district to William G BUTLER, who died 1934 in the Wycombe district aged 49; Bertha died 1974 in the Wycombe district aged 92.
On the 1891 Census, a scholar aged 7 he lived in Watford, with his parents and seven siblings. On the 1901 Census, a baker’s assistant aged 17, he lived in Hampstead, London. On the 1911 Census, a furniture packer aged 27, he lived in High Wycombe, with his wife and one child.
Recorded as born in Watford and enlisted High Wycombe, Bucks.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in High Wycombe, Bucks, was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914-15 Star medals, his qualifying date being 18 September 1915, and was killed in action.
Additional Information
Unfortunately, Francis’ Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
