FRANCIS, FREDERICK WYATT (1856-1901) was born in Essex, son of John P. G. Francis, and came to Canterbury with his parents in the Cornubia in the following year. Educated at Gee's Grammar School, he was four years in the Post Office and then joined the firm of Crowe and Co., wine and spirit merchants. He was associated with Manning and Co. (1887-1901). Francis joined the Christchurch City Guards as a private, was appointed sub-lieutenant (1878), lieutenant 1881, captain and adjutant of the first Canterbury battalion (1885); major 1887; and later lieutenant-colonel commanding. He commanded the 4th New Zealand Contingent in South Africa (1900) and showed brilliant leadership at Malmani Hill (16 Aug). He was invalided with fever and died (on 31 Mar 1901) shortly after his return to New Zealand. Francis married (1880) a daughter of Charles C. Cox.

N.Z. Army List; Ranfurly; Cycl. N.Z., iii (p); Lyttelton Times, 1 Apr 1901.

Reference: Volume 1, page 155

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