Francis was born in Charlton Marshall in April 1894, the third of the four children of Richard and Rose Old. His older brother Hugh initially joind the Royal Navy after Francis’ death and ended the war in the RAF. Francis had been a pre-war member of the Dorset Yeomanry and was mobilsed with the rest of the regiment in August 1914. He had his first week’s leave in February 1915 whilst the QODY were stationed in Norfolk. The QODY was, with all 55 Yeomanry Regiments taken into the Territorial Force on its creation in 1908. On the outbreak of war in 1914 it was sent to form part of the 1st South Western Brigade. The QODY were embodied very quickly and efficiently with both men and horses. The QODY were deployed to Norfolk as part of the 2nd South Midland Brigade with whom they would fight for much of the War.
After training in Norfolk, QODY were sent to Egypt aboard the SS Karoa
were they continued to train in advance of the Gallipoli landings where they arrived at Suvla Bay on 18th August 1915. Only three days later QODY advancing on foot as dismounted infantry, made an attack on Scimitar Hill which was the largest single day attack made by the allies at Gallipoli. Three Divisions took part, attacking Turkish positions which were inaccurately located and covered by enfilading machine gun fire. The British Army lost some 5300 casualties out of the 14300 who crossed the start line. QODY lost 126 killed or wounded and Francis was one of the 41 killed. Although he was initially recorded as missing, his body along with that of his schoolmate Justus ‘Roy’ Watts who also died that day was never recovered. This was the worst single day of the War for the QODY.
Pimperne Parish Church, a plaque to brothers in law. Arthur Murdo McKenzie married Francis’ sister Elsie in January 1917. He was awarded the Military Cross in the 1918 New Year’s Honours list.
Francis Old’s Memorial Plaque or ‘Dead Man’s Penny’ set into the church wall.
Brothers in law on the same memorial
Blandford Schools' Combined War Memorials 