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Name : Francis John Hess Eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Hess, of Ventnor Born 1885 Ventnor. |
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Census information : 1891 : Jacob and Rosetta Hess, with their family including Francis, are at Apsley House, Ventnor. Jacob Hess is a Tailor. 1901 : Jacob and Rosetta Hess, with their family including Francis, are at 145 High Street, Ventnor. Jacob Hess is a Tailor, Francis is his apprentice. 1911 : Jacob and Rosetta Hess, with their family including Francis, are at 145 High Street, Ventnor. Both Jacob Hess (who was born in Germany) and Francis are described as 'Tailor (maker)' |
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Service Details : Gunner 710 Francis John Hess, 1st/5th Hants. Howitzer Bty. |
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Casualty Details : Died 24 June 1916, aged about 30 Buried at Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery, Plot XIV. H. 11., Iraq CWGC Record |
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Commemorated on these Memorials :
Ventnor War Memorial St Wilfrid's School War Memorial 5th Hants Howitzers War Memorial, Drill Hall, Newport 5th Hants Howitzers War Memorial, Freshwater Memorial Hall County War Memorial |
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Documents :
ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY
Friday October 6, 1916 Page 1 News was received on Saturday by his family in Ventnor, that Gunner Francis Hess died of disease as long ago as June 24th. He had been on active service with the 4th Hants Howitzers in the Persian Gulf for several months. Gunner Hess was a native of Ventnor and a member of the firm Hess and Sons. He was formerly in the Town Band, and had many friends among the inhabitants. His death adds another to the misfortunes his family has had to bear as the result of the war.
ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY
Friday October 6, 1916 Page 5 ACKNOWLEDGMENT Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Hess and family desire to thank all friends for messages of condolence in the death of Gunner F.J. Hess, 1/5th Hants Howitzer Battery, R.F.A.
ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY PRESS
Saturday, October 7, 1916 Page 5 THE ISLAND AND THE WAR NOTICE OF CASUALTIES DIED Gunner Francis Hess, 4th Hants (Howitzer) Battery RFA (Ventnor) VENTNOR News has only just been received of the death of Gunner Francis Hess, 4th Hants (Howitzer) Battery R.F.A., eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Hess, of Ventnor, and a member of the firm of Hess Brothers, tailors, &c. Gunner Hess was on active service in the Persian Gulf and died as long ago as June 24. He was formerly a member of the Ventnor Town Band and was well known and respected locally.
ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY
Friday, October 13, 1916 Page 3 Ventnor District Council CONDOLENCE The Chairman proposed that votes of condolence be passed with Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Hess, in the death of their son, Gunner F.J. Hess, and with Mrs. Warren, in the death of her son, Private R.O. Warren. The last named, he said, was reported missing by the War Office on Jan. 16th, 1915, and Mrs. Warren received intimation on September 27th last that as they had not heard anything further about him they concluded he died on the date on which he was reported missing. The votes were carried in the usual way.
ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY
Friday, February 2, 1917 Page 5 A letter sent from Ventnor on August 25th, 1916, to Gunner F. J. Hess, of Ventnor, who died while on active service in the Persian Gulf, was returned to the sender yesterday. The letter was addressed to Constantinople. The English stamp has been removed from the letter. |
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Further information :
Francis Hess was the cousin of Norah Gertrude Hess, who married Tholbourne John Cook, who died in Gallipoli in 1915. |
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Acknowledgments :
Janet Griffin for newspaper research |
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Page status :
Page last updated : 9 April 2012 (added further newspaper report) |
Memorials & Monuments
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