RFC pilot info please?

[Grovetown]

Would have anyone have any information on Lt. Leslie E. Francis of the RFC/ RAF and formerly of the Queen's Regiment? He wasn't a casualty and doesn't feature in TSTB; and his MIC doesn't reveal anything of use.

Best wishes,

Grovetown.

[per ardua per mare per terram]

There are 2 sets of records to look for. RFC officer pilots records will be in the War Office records (either WO 339 or WO 374) most of those have now been catalogued at Kew - there is a file for FRANCIS L E, Capt. in WO 339/27993, FRANCIS L in WO 339/52461, FRANCIS L in WO 339/129952, and FRANCIS, Lieut E L in WO 374/25469. If he continued to serve after 1 April 1918 he will have a separate RAF record in AIR 76, also at kew.

[Stebie9173]

From the Gazette:

LG 17-3-1917

ROYAL FLYING CORPS.

Mil. Wing.—The undermentioned appts. are made: —

Flying Officers.—5th Feb. 1917: —

Temp. 2nd Lt. L. E. Francis, R.W. Surr. R.

http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...&selHonourType=

LG 9-8-1917

ROYAL FLYING CORPS.

Mil. Wing.—The undermentioned appts. are made: —

Gen. List.—Temp. 2nd Lt. L. E. Francis, R. W. Surr. R., to be temp. Lt. whilst serving with R.F.C. 1st July 1917.

http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...&selHonourType=

There is another L E Francis in the KRRC who won the MC and was also a Captain, so the WO339/27993 could well belong to that man.

Steve.

[Grovetown]

P.A.P.M.P.T - thanks very much for the WO/ Air references: Lieutenant was as far as this guy got, so things are helpfully narrowed down.

And Steve: thanks very much indeed for the LG links. I really despair of extracting anything (easily) from the online, so your help is greatly appreciated.

Best wishes,

Grovetown.