Lance Corporal Francis Forsyth Gardiner, 16th Bn Canadian Regiment
To hear Francis’s story read by William Murray, Viscount Stormont; please press play on the audio file.
You can read his story in full and the stories of 71 of his comrades,
in a new 300 page book
SCONE REMEMBERS
OUR MEN FROM THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918
For details and how to get your copy, email scone.remembers@gmail.com or use the comments box
Lance Corporal Francis Forsyth Gardiner 736729, 16th Battalion Canadian Regiment.
Francis Forsythe Gardiner was born on 19th November 1888 at Obney, Auchtergaven, to John and Euphemia Gardiner, formerly of Parkfields and Old Scone. His occupation in civil life was a Forester and at one time he was working on the Scone Estate. In April 1911, he and brother, David, emigrated to Canada. Francis joined the Canadian Army in 1916. After he arrived in France he was involved in the Battle of Lens. Lance Corporal Francis Forsythe Gardiner was wounded on 15th August 1917 and died from his wounds the following day. Francis was 28 years of age. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals
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Alastair
Nov 17, 2015 -
You have the year wrong for Francis death it should be 1917. He was living in Lethbridge Canada, one of six brothers that had joined up 4 in Canada and 2 in Scotland.
John, Bob, Frank, William, Alex, David was discharged because of an earlier injury.
Peter Olsen
Dec 11, 2015 -
Hi Alastair
Thank you for your response, we are always grateful for input from the Family. Yes you are correct the date should be 1917, the original date was taken from the 1920 Scone Roll of Honour which we used as a staring point before carrying out a more extensive research. As with a number of of entries in the Roll, we find those dates do not always match official records. We have now published an updated story for Francis. and will in time publish his younger brother Alexanders story, who was killed in 1916 during the battle of Beaumont-Hamel
Kind regards
Pete
Scone Remembers
Alastair
Jan 1, 2016 -
What a fantastic story on this family and Franks service in WW1, just to complete the picture of the Gardiners Margaret (Maggie) also went to Lethbridge Canada in 1913, married John Reay in 1915 and settled in Indian Head the family went to New Zealand before returning to Canada in 1928. Janet Gardiner was killed in a road traffic accident at Morningside farm near Balbeggie in 1908 age 10. Isabella James Gardiners wife moved back to Scotland after James death in 1929 with her children Isabella and Jack, Jack still lives in Scone.