Have You a Tiger In Your Family?

Rank : Captain

Unit : 2nd Bn

Biography :

Educated at Christ's Hospital (Horsham) and at Wellington College, Francis Romilly was commissioned into The Welch Regiment on 4.1.1899, with whom he served extensively in the Boer War 1899-1902, earning the Queen's South Africa Medal with 6 clasps and the King's South Africa Medal with 2 clasps. Served in Northern Nigeria in 1903. Promoted Lieutenant in Mar 1908 and Captain on 9.2.1910. Transferred to The Leicestershire Regiment that year, and served with 2nd Bn, including in the First World War. He was wounded in Feb 1915 and never left the firing line. He was awarded the D.S.O. (L.G. 8.5.1915) "For conspicuous gallantry and enterprise and great daring at Neuve Chapelle on 10 March 1915. He led a small party with bombs against the German dugouts and captured about a 100 yards of their trenches, the occupants being all either killed or wounded by himself and his men." He was killed in action near Mauquissart in France on 25.9.1915, aged 36 years, and is buried at the Rue-du-Bacquerot No.1 Military Cemetery, Laventie, Pas de Calais, France.

It was usual practice for bombers to get into an enemy trench and to throw their bombs/grenades round the corner of the trenches. Francis Romilly devised a novel tactic for bombers - which became known as "Romilly's method" - whereby they threw bombs/grenades down into trenches while standing on the parapet. This enabled them to more swiftly bomb a line of trenches but was much more hazardous for the throwers as it exposed them to horizontal small arms fire from other surface locations. But he did not die while pursuing such an action: he was actually killed while in one of his own trenches when a sniper's bullet hit a brother officer's arm and was deflected into his head, killing him instantly. "His death in the war was greatly mourned, not only by his regiment but by the whole Meerut Division, where he was held in the highest esteem for his great courage and manly qualities". A brother officer wrote, "His name is a byword in the whole division for his extraordinary bravery. All his men loved him and followed him anywhere. He was the bravest of the brave."
It is widely thought that his actions at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle in March 1915 well merited a recommendation for the V.C., but, as the 2nd Leicesters had suffered so many casualties, it was judged better for the morale of the Battalion for Francis Romilly to be recommended for the D.S.O. as that would likely be approved in short order (in this instance it took less than two months) rather than waiting a much longer time for the award of the V.C.

Francis Romilly was father of Colonel H de B Romiily, and uncle of Majors C G Romilly and P F Romilly, all of The Leicestershire Regiment, and the great-uncle of Colonel M E Romilly OBE, of The Royal Leicestershire and The Royal Anglian Regiments (1963-98).

CWGC:

ROMILLY, FRANCIS HENRY
Rank: Captain
Date of Death: 25/09/1915
Age: 36
Regiment/Service: Leicestershire Regiment 2nd Bn.
Awards: D S O
Grave Reference: II. D. 13.
Cemetery: RUE-DU-BACQUEROT NO.1 MILITARY CEMETERY, LAVENTIE
Additional Information:

Son of the late Capt. F. J. Romilly, R.E. and Mary de Berdt Romilly.

-------------

Battle of Neuve Chapelle

10 March 1915

At Neuve Chapelle a hammer blow was to be made.
The Second Leicesters, battle ready, were in position
The British Battalion in the Garhwal Brigade,
Proudly spearheading the Meerut Division.

Early on the tenth of March the Leicesters took the lead,
Their progress was held up by withering fire from a machine gun post.
Captain Francis Romilly was always there in those times of need
Just then 'Romilly's Method' was called for the most.

He had devised a novel tactic for the bombers,
Involving standing on the parapet of the enemy's trench
Then throwing bombs (grenades) laterally along the trench at its members,
Exposing, all the time, the bomber to enemy fire; a real wrench.

Without hesitating he led a small party forward; bombs a' ready
Exposed, they killed the occupants of one hundred yards of German dugouts,
Enabling the Leicesters to make progress nice and steady
Through Neuve Chapelle and thereabouts.

By then he had been in continuous action for a year,
When tragically he was killed by a sniper's bullet at the battle of Loos,
He led his men, as he fought, totally without fear
Much loved by all as an officer and leader, so courageous.

Captain Francis Romilly's death in war was greatly mourned,
He gave his life, so many did he save
Within the Meerut Division he so magnificently adorned,
He was indeed the bravest of the brave.

At Neuve Chapelle the Germans were trounced
The Leicesters were still mourning their great loss
Even though his Distinguished Service Order had been announced
All said that Captain Francis Romilly should have been awarded the Victoria Cross.

Martin Romilly

30 May 2014

Date of Birth : 1.10.1878

Place of Birth : Bangalore, India

Date of Death : 25.9.1915

Place of Death : Mauquissart, France

Period of Service : 1899-1915

Conflicts : Boer War, Kano-Sokoto Campaign (Nigeria), WW1

Places Served : South Africa, Nigeria, India, France