Certificate: Rossiter, Francis Charles – courtesy of Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Remembered with Honour at the Manitoba Cemetery, Caix, France.
Francis Charles Rossiter was born in Halstock, Dorset in 1896. He was the son of Charles Henry Rossiter (b:1859) in Somerset and Jane Rossiter (nee Oxenbury) (1859-1907) born in Symondsbury. In the 1901 Census his father’s occupation was listed as ‘Baker – Own Accounts’. In the 1911 Census Francis is listed as living with his sister Mabel Mary Oxensbury (nee Rossiter) at Bridge House, No.2. in Chideock, Dorset. Francis had six sisters and three brothers.
It appears that in 1913 Francis boarded the ship ‘The Royal Edward’ heading for Quebec in Canada. He joined the 5th Bn Canadian Infantry (Saskatchewan Regiment). He was killed in action on 9th August – aged 22 years – in 1918 in France and is commemorated at the Manitoba Cemetery, Caix and also on the Chideock War Memorial.
Caix is a village 24 kilometres east of Amiens, between the road to St.Quentin and Roye. Manitoba Cemetery is situated between the village of Caix and Beaufort. The village of Caix was captured by the Canadian Corps (1st Cavalry Division) on 8th August, 1918.
In health and strength he left his home
Not thinking death so near
It pleased the Lord to bid him come
And in his sight appear.