The late Henry “Harry” Charles Francis Royal Marines
21 July 1925 to 24 September 2026
Military Service 1942 to 1946
It is with great sadness we note the passing of WW2 Veteran Harry Francis RM. Harry was born in Barford St Martin, Wiltshire, to Rosina and Franklin. He had one brother, Jesse and two sisters, Isabella and Barbara.
Harry was just 17 when he joined the Royal Navy. His first action was with HMS Brecon on anti-submarine and escort operations in the Atlantic Ocean. He transferred to the Royal Marines, gaining his green beret at the Commando training school at Achnacarry and joined the Royal Marines Boom Patrol Detachment – a forerunner to the Special Boat Squadron (SBS)
In Malta, he was involved in operations in Italy ahead of OP HUSKY, the invasion of Sicily. He and his team sunk a ferry on the Straights of Messina which was to have been used by the Germans to convey their armour, tanks and troops to Sicily. He was in close-quarters battle with a German sentry and came off best. In another operation, he launched from a submarine to drop an SOE agent in enemy territory.
During the summer of 1943 He engaged in harassing operations to disrupt the enemies’ lines of communication ahead of OP AVALANCHE, the amphibious landings at Salerno in Italy. Having destroyed a railway line, Harry missed the first and second extraction points and, after 3 days of survival in enemy territory, had to make a swim for it to an Allied submarine, which rescued him.
In late 1943, operating from Haifa, Palestine, Harry raided an enemy airfield on a Greek island to blow up a squadron of German Stuka aircraft. He had to execute a fighting withdrawal as the guard force was alerted to their presence. The operation was a success and the airfield was out of action for several months.
In June 1944 Harry parachuted into Yugoslavia to collect a German deserter held by Joseph Tito’s Partisan forces. Tito issued each of Harry’s team with a combat medal in appreciation of their efforts.
Operating along the Irrawaddy River in Burma, Harry was caught in an ambush and bayoneted in the stomach by a Japanese enemy soldier. Seriously wounded, he was flown back to Hasler Naval Hospital in the UK where he made a full recovery and was shortly after, de-mobbed to civi-street.
Harry settled in the Salisbury area and became a painter and decorator. He was a keen sports fan, following the Arsenal football team and Wigan Rugby League club. He also loved his gardening. Harry met his wife to be Gwen in Salisbury Royal British Legion in the 1980s. They moved to South Gloucestershire in 1985 and married on 29th October 1988. He was involved with the Royal British Legion in Gloucestershire and became County Chairman for 3 years. Harry was proud to be a Life Member of the Burma Star Association.
Gwen describes Harry as a real gentleman. He was a quiet, kind man sometimes serious and reserved, but always caring down to earth and loving. He leaves a widow Gwen, sons and daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Harry was 101 years old when he crossed the bar. The action Harry was involved in at such a young age is incredible for us to imagine today. He was a man of immense determination and courage. His leadership and resourcefulness got him out of many a sticky situation. Always cheerful even in adversity, Harry displayed all the qualities of the true Commando Spirit. He was a World War Two veteran of the highest calibre and we must be grateful for his military service and the freedoms we enjoy today because of it. Thank you Harry. Rest in Peace. Our thoughts are with your family.
Harry’s funeral will take place on Monday 26th October 2026 at 1.30pm at Westerleigh Cemetery and Crematorium. Bristol. BS37 8RF.
Church Telephone 01179 374619
Members can contact the Branch Welfare Officer, welfare_rma-pdb@thermcharity.org for more information.
Written by Paul Jobling
"PM PT"
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