The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment

 Major F J Joslin


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Major Francis John JOSLIN, 2nd Battalion attached 1st Battalion, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment, killed in action 18th April 1915.

Born 2nd September 1874, Almorah Crescent, St. Helier, Jersey.

Only surviving Son of the late John James Joslin & Mary Ann Sarah Joslin, (daughter of Francis Philip Cabot),  of 7, Almorah Crescent, St. Helier, Jersey.

Educated Victoria College, Jersey, 1886-1892.

Unmarried.

7th December 1895, Gazetted Second Lieutenant, 2nd Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment, from the Militia; 13th November 1897, promoted  Lieutenant; served in the South African War, 1900-02, taking part in the operations in the Orange Free State, April to May 1900; in the Orange River Colony, May to 29th November 1900, including actions at Biddulphsberg & Wittebergen (1st to 29th July); in Cape Colony, south of the Orange River, 1900; in the Transvaal August to September 1901, and April to 31st May 1902; and in the Orange River Colony, 30th November 1900 to August 1901 and September 1901 to April 1902. For his services he was mentioned in  Despatches, (London Gazette 29th July 1901), and received The Queens Medal with three Clasps and the Kings Medal with two Clasps; 7th January 1903, promoted Captain and from 16th November 1904 to 15th November 1907 he acted as Adjutant to his Battalion; he travelled on secret service in the interior of China and received the thanks of the War Office for his work; after passing through Staff College, Quetta, joined the Headquarters Staff and acted as Brigade Major to General Braithwaite at the Great Durbar, at Delhi, for which he received the medal; 3rd September 1914, promoted to Major; 24th October 1914, left for France; November 1914, became Commandant on the lines of Communication at Rouen; February 19156, rejoined his Regiment, which had suffered severely, and was Second in Command of his Battalion; Having been attached to the 1st Battalion of his Regiment, he led the storming party, (1st West Kent & 2nd KOSB's) which captured Hill 60 on the evening of the 17th April 1915, but after holding the Hill all night and repulsing three counter attacks, he was killed as the West Kents were being relieved in the early hours of the 18th. He was the last to leave the position, and shot shot in the act of leaving death being almost instantaneous.     

A brother office wrote of him: "And in action he was splendid, quite without fear, and able by his example to inspire and encourage those around him. But in your sorrow should mingle pride, for to the very end he did his duty right well, and did much to keep the regimental standard of self sacrifice as high as it is now. And such records never die."  

Evening Post Jersey, Report -

"Distinguished Jersey Officer Killed in Action. Jersey has lost many of her gallant sons in the present campaign and yet another name, that of Major Francis John Joslin, has to be added to the list of those who have laid down their lives for King and Country. This gallant officer, who held a very distinguished record, was born in Jersey in 1874, he was educated at Victoria College and afterwards entered the 6th Kings Liverpool Regiment and from this Corps passed into the Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment, a Regiment which holds a record second to none in the history of the British Army, and during the present campaign has never lost a trench, though this has not been done without terrible losses. The late Major Joslin was one of the most capable and efficient officers and his death will be not only a serious loss to his Regiment but to his Country, which he has served so faithfully and well. During the South African Campaign in which he served under Lord Kitchener, he was mentioned in despatches and received two medals with five clasps. He was also a graduate of the Staff College at Quetta and served as Brigade Major to General Braithwaite at the memorable Durbar. He also received the Durbar Medal. He had travelled extensively in Egypt, China, India and Ceylon on Government business and was a well known writer on military matters, he being one of the very few far seeing men who foretold the present campaign and how it would be brought about. His views on conscription were those of Lord Roberts and his death will remove one of the best contributors to military magazines. At the outbreak of war he received a Staff Appointment in Rouen, but his Battalion having received severe losses he gave this up to rejoin his Regiment with which he was killed in action in Flanders on Sunday last as Second in Command. Though he visited the Island very rarely he had many friends and acquaintances in Jersey who will hear with regret of his death. To these and to his mother and relatives we beg to offer our sincere condolences in their bereavement"

Commemorated at Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial,  Panel 45 and 47,   Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.


London Gazette 19th October 1914.

Captain Francis J. Joslin, The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment,  to be Major. Dated 3rd September, 1914.

London Gazette 9th February 1915.

War Office, 9th February, 1915.

REGULAR FORCES. - COMMANDS AND STAFF.

The under mentioned appointments are made:

ATTACHED TO HEADQUARTER UNITS - Commandants on the Lines of Communication. -

Major Francis J. Joslin, The Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Dated 29th November, 1914


This page was last updated on 09-Nov-2015.

Copyright © 2008 Janet & Richard Mason