Francis enlisted on 14th August 1896. He was 18 years and 8 months old, and was a Farm Labourer by trade. He first saw active service in the South African war, receiving the South African (Queen's) medal with clasp for his service at the Relief of Ladysmith. He entered the war in France on 18th August 1914, as part of the Regimental Medical Officer's team for the 15th Brigade. Royal Field Artillery. On 12th November 1917 he was serving in Blackpool, when he was posted that day to the 2nd Training Battalion there. On 19th January 1918 he was posted to serve at the Northumberland War Hospital, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, where he served until 15th April 1919, when he was transferred for demobilization. He was demobbed on the 26th. He was the son of Hugh and Elizabeth (Lizzie) Cook