BEST, FRANCIS WILLIAM
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Private
4462975
21/01/1945
31
Durham Light Infantry 9th Bn.
I. A. 18.
The sacrifice was great, his duty nobly done
Additional information:
Son of William and Hannah Jane Best, of Hexham, Northumberland; husband of Florence M. Best (nee Harbottle)
Francis died near Sint Joost, Limburg, the Netherlands. He is the man with the latest death date in the Valkenswaard War Cemetery and the only casualty at the cemetery that wasn’t killed in the vicinity.
From the service records of Francis William Best, the following account can be reconstructed.
Francis William Best was born on 25 August 1913 in North Shields, County Durham. In civilian life he worked as a light lorry driver. He enlisted in the British Army on 20 June 1940 and joined the Durham Light Infantry.
He married Florence Harbotle on 29 April 1940 in Hexham. The couple had two children.
Francis William Best served in the Middle East from 13 March 1943 until 2 June 1944. He then embarked for service in North West Europe on 3 June 1944.
According to his service records, he was 6 feet 1¾ inches tall, with fair hair and blue eyes.
Francis William Best was reported missing on 21 January 1945. He was later confirmed killed in action on that date. His grave was located and his body identified on 28 September 1945.
Memorial at Corbridge Parish.
Newcastle Evening Chronicle 01 March 1945