Memorial Cross, Memorial Cross GR V

Francis Bacon was born in Missenden, Buckinghamshire, England, on 17 July 1875.

Bacon worked as a waiter before enlisting in the 77th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, in Ottawa, Ontario, on 25 October 1915. After training in Canada, Bacon’s unit sailed to England on 19 July 1916 on SS Missanabie, arriving in Liverpool 10 days later.

In England, it was discovered that Bacon had slight varicocele, a condition that could potentially make him physically unfit for service. A medical board examined Bacon and declared him fit on 18 August 1916. However, the board did note in its report that Bacon had done “very little training” because he had been employed as a batman (officer’s servant). As a result, the board stated, Bacon required “hardening up”.

On 9 December 1916, Bacon was transferred from the 77th Battalion to the 44th Canadian Infantry Battalion. He arrived in France 20 days later. After receiving further training behind the lines at the Canadian Base Depot (CBD) in Le Havre, he joined the 44th Battalion in the field on 9 February 1917. About two months later, on 29 March 1917, he returned to the CBD to have his varicocele examined once again by another medical board. As a result, he missed the Battle of Vimy Ridge (9-12 April 1917). Bacon rejoined the 44th Battalion in the field on 30 April 1917. Four months later, on 23 August 1917, he was killed by a sniper during the Battle of Hill 70. His body was lost in the tumult of battle and never recovered.

Francis Bacon is commemorated on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, on Vimy Ridge, in France.