Francis Robert Elms was born in Mountain Ash the eldest son of Francis Robert Elms & Mary Elizabeth nee Davies.
By the 1911 census the family had moved to 117 Derlwyn Street, Phillipstown, New Tredegar. Francis and Elizabeth had seven children accounted for, who were:
Francis Robert Elms, born 1st June 1895 Sarah Elms, born in 1897 George Elms, born in 1899 Fred Elms, born in 1901 William James Elms, born in 1903 Doris Elms, born in 1905 and Alice (Elsie)Elms who was born in 1908.
[There is an issue with the 1911 Census entry which shows all seven children, but also shows that only six children were still living and one had died. There is also a further question regarding other children not shown on the 1911 Census, since the 1901 Census shows two further daughters; Elizabeth Maude and Mary Jane, both shown as older than Francis Robert but neither appear to be accounted for by the 1911 Census]
Both Francis Robert senior and junior are shown as miners in the 1911 Census.
He enlisted in the army on 31st August 1914 as a private in 1st Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment . His service number was 2421 and by 13th February 1915 he was in France. The service numbers of Monmouthshire regiment soldiers were changed on 1st March 1917 after which, his number was 225777. He was discharged on the 26th February 1919 under King’s Regulations para (xvi) ‘no longer physically fit for service.’
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