Pte 22758 Francis John Lehan

• Age: 24
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• Died Sunday 23rd January 1916
• Commemorated at: St Ouen Cc
  Panel Ref: D2

Francis John was born on the 03rd May 1891 the fifth of six children born to Colman Lehan, a general shopkeeper, and his wife Mary Eliza (nee Doyle). His parents married in 1881. He was the second eldest of their three sons. He was baptised on 12th May 1891 in Our Lady of the  Immaculate Conception Church in Liverpool.

In 1901 the family lived at 1, Hibbert Street, Everton. His father, Colman is shown as a general shopkeeper born at Birkenhead in 1860, whilst his mother, Mary was born in Liverpool in 1861. Francis is shown as a nine year old born in Liverpool. He has 4 elder siblings, all of whom were born in Liverpool; Clara b. 1884 and shown as a laundry maid, Mary b.1885 a vest maker, Colman b.1897 a junior clerk in the parcels office and Ellen b.1890. 

The family are still living at 1 Hibbert Street in 1911, when Colman senior is said to be a “paper ruler”, his wife a provision dealer and Francis now aged 14 is shown as a hosier’s assistant. Also present are his sisters Mary Jane and Ellen and a younger brother Harold Edward b.1903 in Liverpool. 

Francis John enlisted at Liverpool on 12^th November 1914 joining the 20th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 22758. He was aged 23 years and 159 days and a clerk by occupation. He was described as being; height 5' 7", weight 140lbs, chest 36", fresh complexion, grey eyes, brown hair and gave his father, Colman, as his next of kin.

Formed in November 1914 the 20^th Battalion were originally billeted at Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on 29^th January 1915 they moved to the hutted accommodation purposely built at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 20th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. 

He served in France from 7^th November 1915.

Francis died on 23^rd January 1916 (soldiers effects state that he died at No. 30 CCS) of acute suppurative toxaemia from a ruptured appendix aged 24.

His death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on 08th March 1916:

"News has been received by Mrs.Lehan, 1 Hibbert-street, Liverpool, of the death of her son, Private John Lehan (22758), 20th Service Battalion King's (Liverpool) Regiment, 4th "Pals."  Private Lehan underwent an operation for appendicitis, and afterwards died at No.30 casualty clearing station, France. He joined the "Pals" soon after the outbreak of the war. He was twenty four years of age. In a letter to Private Lehan's mother Second-Lieutenant George A.Brighouse says :- He was in my platoon, and from my own experience of him I can say that he always performed his duties conscientiously and was a good example of what a British soldier should be".

Francis now rests at St Ouen Communal Cemetery, Grave D2.

The 3rd Casualty Clearing Station was posted here in April and May 1916, and the 39th from May to July 1916, and the British graves in the Communal Cemetery were made chiefly by those medical units.

There are now nearly 30, First World War casualties commemorated in this site. 

Francis Lehan died in January 1916 and is one of 29 British soldiers buried here.

He earned his 3 medals.

His father had died in the March quarter of 1915 and Francis’s effects were sent to his mother, together with his medals, plaque and scroll. Pension was awarded to his mother Mary Elizabeth

His older brother, Colman, enlisted on 12^th October 1914, in the 9^th Cheshires at Glasgow but was invalided out as being medically unfit two weeks later - his record is endorsed “Flat feet - unable to march”.

Francis' loved ones placed notices in the Liverpool Echo, on 24th January 1917: 

“January 23 1916: In loving memory of Private Francis John Lehan, King’s (Liverpool) Regiment, who lost his life in France, aged 24 years.  

     Gone is the one we loved so dear,

     Silent is the voice we longed to hear;

     Far, too far away from sight and speech,

     But not too far for our thoughts to reach.

     There comes a mist in the blinding rain,

     And life will never be the same again.

(Never forgotten by his Mother, Sisters, and Brothers.) - 1, Hibbert Street, Liverpool.“

 

“In loving memory of Private Francis John Lehan, K.L.R., who lost his life in France, January 23, 1916.

     United in life by friendship sincere,

     In death not divided, for memory holds dear.

Clara, Dick and Children, 71, Stanfield Road.”

 

“In ever-loving memory of Private F. J. Lehan, King’s (Liverpool) Regiment, who died in France, January 23, 1916.

     In a land of strangers our brother does lie,

     Not one of us near him to bid him good-bye;

     But the angels of heaven are guarding his soul,

     Til we meet him again at the call of the roll.

Sister and Brother-in-law Nell and Sergeant Tom Duncalf.”

Francis is commemorate in the Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 24 Right.

 

We currently have no further information on Francis John Lehan. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.