Sergeant Austin Ronald Francis was the son of James Arthur and Ethel Beatrice Francis, and husband of Joan Ada Francis, of West Croydon, Surrey. He enlisted into The Royal West Kent Regiment and later transferred to Airborne Forces.

Sgt Francis subsequently served with 10th Parachute Battalion in Headquarters Company as the Provost Sergeant and took part in the Battle of Arnhem, during Op Market Garden.

He died in the Battle between 18-25 September 1944, aged 30 years old. He was first buried in Onder de Bomen General Cemetery the eventually laid to rest at Grave ref: 5, D, 6. Oosterbeek War Cemetery.

Lt Pat Glover recalls: Cpl George Wyllie tried to cross the railway line with Sgt. Francis, the Provost Sgt. "We were in a nasty spot and had to get across the tracks. There were Spandaus firing on fixed lines down them. We were to go in groups and once across we were to rendezvous at a spot. It was every man for himself. I was in a second group and Sgt,. Francis was in the third. he was killed trying to cross" 

Suggested further reading about this incident and the history of The 10th Bn can be found in the book "Desert Rise - Arnhem Descent" The 10th Parachute Battalion in the Second World War by Martin Peters and Niall Cherry, with John Howes and Graham Francis.