The AIF Project

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Proceeded to join 53rd Bn, Zeitoun, 16 February 1916; taken on strength 53rd Bn, Tel el Kebir, 16 February 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 19 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 28 June 1916.

Reported as missing in action, 19 July 1916.

Officially reported dead, 16 September 1916, effects in German hands, being reported as killed in action, 19 July 1916.

Died whilst Prisoner of War, Germany, 19 July 1917.

Advice received from Australian Red Cross, Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau, 14 October 1920, 'Williams F. J. 53. Bn. Killed in action 19.6.16 nr. Fromelles[.] Final German Death List, S'.

Translation of German report, 29 October 1919, 'Iden: Disc 3605. Disc handed over by Intelligence Officer of 6th Army Hd. Qrs. through Central Office for Deceased Estates, 2.10.16. Australian Soldier Pte. Francis James Williams, Identity Disc 3605, fell in the neighbourhood of Fromelles on 19/7/16.'

The comment 'Died whilst Prisoner of War, Germany, 19 July 1917' has been handwritten on the bottom of one copy of the B.103. Another B.103 that is mainly handwritten (the original?), has the statement 'officially reported Died of wounds while a Prisoner of War', but everything after 'died' has been subsequently crossed out.

Red Cross File No 2951005: 'The above name appeared on a German death list dated 13/9/16'.