Francis Henry Belcher
Name Francis Henry Belcher
Number Gunner 6436
Battalion 4th Field Artillery Brigade
Place of Birth Ballarat
Next of Kin His father, Alfred Ernest Belcher of Meeniyan
Date and place of enlistment Melbourne 13/8/1915, his parents wrote a letter allowing him to enlist.
Physical details on enlistment Age 19 years 3 months, 5’6”, 9 stone 8, brown eyes and black hair
Religion Roman Catholic
Occupation Butcher
Date and place of death
He died of wounds on the 14/8/1917 in the 55th Field Hospital
Spoilbank Belgium
Location of memorial or grave
He is buried in the Voormazoele Cemetery Belgium
Relationship to Woorayl Shire
He came from Meeniyan
Military History
- His cousin Albert Belcher was also killed
- As he was under 21 his permission to enlist was signed by his father
- He was in the cadets in Outtrim
- 13/8/15 he enlisted in Melbourne
- 18/11/15 he embarked from Melbourne on H M A T Wiltshire
Landed at Suez, went to Heliopolis and Tel el kebir
- 14/3/16 he embarked Alexandria
- 19/3/16 he disembarked Marseilles
- 21/7/17 he went on leave to England
- He was in the 4th Field Artillery Brigade
- 14/8/17 he died in the 55th field hospital
- He was buried in Voormazoele Cemetery
He file contains a copy of his father’s permission letter and another with his mother’s signature on it. (Page 16 and 17 of his file)
- His effects were 2 identity discs, 2 rosaries, scissors, 3 coins a fountain pen, cards letters, cigarette case, knife, electric torch, money belt, pair of fliers, packet book, prayer book, wallet, cigarette lighter, body belt, 5 handkerchiefs, devotional medallion, cards letters brushes, metal ring, pipe, pair gloves.
- His mother Mary Jane Belcher of Meeniyan P O received a 40/- per fortnight from 27/10/17
- He had a National Mutual insurance policy
- His Father received all medals, scroll and plaque