WW1 Memorial Plaque Research

[Adam Lewis]

I found this Memorial Plaque named to “Francis Clarence Metcalf” at a local antique shop in Southern California. With help from Jack Clegg I sorted through a few potential listings in the CWGC site.<O

“F Metcalf” 269248 of the Sherwood Foresters is named Fred so no luck here. “F C Metcalfe” 22594 (Yorkshire Regt.) is Frederick Charles, so again no luck. The search now centers on “F Metcalfe” 30751 of the 16 Bn Highland Light Infantry. Mr. Clegg advises the death certificate is named to Metcalf, not Metcalfe, so the possibility is open that this is the man for whom the plaque is named.
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Can anyone in the UK tell me if Francis Clarence Metcalf is the full name for “F Metcalf(e)” 30751 HLI?

[leigh kitchen]

"Officers / Soldiers Died" lists:

Francis Metcalfe Pte 30751, 16th (Service) Bn HLI, KIA France & Flanders 28/11/17.
Born Rutherglen, enlisted Glasgow.

Also listed is Captain Francis Metcalfe, RAMC, died 10/7/18.

Have you checked CWGC re Royal Navy & RAF casualties?
The actual death plaque itself may give a clue the letter "H" I think it is, could signify RN rather than army, can't remember the details off hand though, perhaps the small code letters on the plaque too.

[Adam Lewis]

"Officers / Soldiers Died" lists:

Francis Metcalfe Pte 30751, 16th (Service) Bn HLI, KIA France & Flanders 28/11/17.
Born Rutherglen, enlisted Glasgow.

Also listed is Captain Francis Metcalfe, RAMC, died 10/7/18.

Have you checked CWGC re Royal Navy & RAF casualties?
The actual death plaque itself may give a clue the letter "H" I think it is, could signify RN rather than army, can't remember the details off hand though, perhaps the small code letters on the plaque too.

Leigh,
Thanks for your reply.
The CWGC site lets you search all services and this was done.
Capt. Metcalfe, RAMC, is not listed as war dead (according to Jack Clegg) who looked on the Death Certificate index, even though he's listed in the CWGC site. Not sure what to make of that.
I looked closely at the plaque and could find no small markings other than a 'W' in a circle on the back surface. If the marks are very small I may have missed it and any coaching on where to look would be helpful.
I believe the key to his identity is the middle name Clarence. Perhaps a birth certificate?
Thanks again.

[leigh kitchen]

Captain Metcalfe RAMC is listed in Officers Died as "Died" rather than "KIA".

Perhaps he died whilst on service in UK, an accident or illness, & his death certificate ommitted from "war dead"?
I'll check up on the death plaque markings, I may have it 'round my neck, but something might come of it.
Have you tried checking the Medal Index Cards on line at the National Archives:
http://www.documentsonline.nationala...=*&queryType=1


There are a batch of Francis Metcalfe & a couple of Francis Metcal (not including those listed with middle initials that are'nt "C").

<TABLE><TBODY><TR class=medalRow><TD class=medalplain>Medal card of </TD><TD class=medalplain>Metcalfe, Francis</TD></TR><TR class=medalRow><TD class=medalheader>Corps:</TD><TD class=medalplain width="100%">Royal Army Medical Corps</TD></TR><TR class=medalRow><TD class=medalheader>Rank:</TD><TD class=medalplain>Captain...</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Medal card of Metcalf, Francis

Corps: Royal Field Artillery Description Date Catalogue ref Details

Medal card of Metcalfe, Francis

Corps: Army Service Corps

Regiment No: 1418
Rank: Driver...

1914-1920 WO 372/13

Medal card of Metcalfe, Francis

Corps: <ST1lace>Highland</ST1lace> Light Infantry

Regiment No: 30751

Rank: Private

1914-1920 WO 372/13

Medal card of Metcalfe, Francis

Corps: <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:City><ST1lace>Manchester</ST1lace></st1:City> Regiment

Regiment No: 202196

Rank: Private
1914-1920 WO 372/13

Medal card of Metcalfe, Francis

Corps: <ST1lace>Yorkshire</ST1lace> Regiment

Regiment No: 1532

Rank: Private...

1914-1920 WO 372/13

Medal card of Metcalfe, Francis

Corps: Royal Engineers

Regiment No: 282204

Rank: Sapper

1914-1920 WO 372/13

Medal card of Metcalfe, Francis

Corps: Royal Engineers Transport

Regiment No: 1781

Rank: Sapper...

1914-1920 WO 372/13

Medal card of Metcalfe, Francis

Corps: Royal Garrison Artillery

Regiment No: 66790

Rank: Gunner

1914-1920 WO 372/13

Medal card of Metcalfe, Francis

Corps: Royal Field Artillery

Regiment No: 166356

Rank: Bombardier


Description Date Catalogue ref Details

Medal card of Metcalf, Francis

Corps: King's <ST1lace>Shropshire</ST1lace> Light Infantry

Regiment No: 4922

Rank: Private

Regiment No: 876034

[leigh kitchen]

The "W" on the back is a poor rendition of "WA" in a circle, for Woolwich Arsenal, where the plaques were produced after production was transferred from Acton.

There's a number between the rearmopst foot & the tail of the lion, this is the number allocated to the workman who produced the named plaque (none seen higher than 94).

The wide "H" at the beginning of "He" signifies issue to the army, those to the RN & some army having a noticably narrower "H".

Info. from The Collectors & Researchers Guide To The Great War, Vol I, by Howard Williamson, published 2003.

[Adam Lewis]

Leigh,
You are a treasure trove of information... thanks for telling me all those names and markings. I could, as you suggest, start hunting on a broad front through the medal records. As I understand it, that will cost 3.50BP per name.

At this time I want to stay focused on Francis Metcalf(e) 30751 of the HLI for 2 reasons. He was KIA and his death certificate states Metcalf in spite of the CWGC listing as Metcalfe.

I would like to know if his full name can be researched through, perhaps, a birth certificate data base (which I have not found). If it turns up Francis Clarence Metcalf then I have found the man. If not, then there's more to be done along the lines you suggest.

[leigh kitchen]

You can check out the basic MIC details, though not the actual images of the cards at no cost.

It might be possible to check the 1901 Census re. the place of residence etc provided by Soldiers Died, an address given on the CWGC site, that sort of thing.

[leigh kitchen]

Checked the 1881 Census on discs, no sign of a Francis Metcalf / Metcalfe born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, being around at that time.

Negative result searching for those details on 1901 Census:
http://www.1901census.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
but it could just be me not exploring all the variations re names, birth place etc.

[Adam Lewis]

Thanks to some excellent detective work by Stuart Wilson this mystery has been cleared up.

His name in the CWGC site is Frank Metcalf where you can see his service number is 628099. This is the number for Francis Clarence Metcalf as can be verified by looking at Canadian records here: http://www.collectionscanada.ca/arch...2010602_e.html but you still have to enter 'Frank' to get a hit, 'Francis' comes up empty. However when you get to the attestation card you see Francis Clarence Metcalf as the given name. His gravestone says Frank Metcalf and gives 628099 as his number.

I do not believe you could get to Francis Clarence Metcalf using CWGC information.

A huge tip of the hat to Stuart.

[Adam Lewis]

A Happy Ending!

I'm pleased to report contact has been made between the Metcalf family in Canada and myself. A nod to Jack Clegg for posting this plaque on his website http://www.cwgc.co.uk/Plaques.htm where the Metcalf family found it. I'll be mailing it to them tomorrow.

I've been hunting for information for about a year and I cannot imagine a better ending than sending this Memorial Plaque back home.

[leigh kitchen]

Great stuff.

[Gary Jucha]

Nice Gesture

Adam,
Thats a really nice gesture !!!

I'm sure the family will now treasure the plaque.

Well Done !!

Gary J.