Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Francis John and Ruth Briggs. Francis’s grandfather was the Head Teacher at Coleorton School in Leics., and he was also the church organist for many years. Details from his service documents show that he was 5 foot 7 inches in height, weighed 140 pounds, had a chest measurement of 36, his complexion was fair, with light brown eyes and brown hair, he had two tattoo spots on his right forearm, his trade was given as Labourer, and his religion was Church of England. The circumstances of his death in action seem somewhat uncertain, and the dates vary between the 25th and 28th April 1915, the Board of Inquiry examining the report that Francis was previously reported missing, now reported killed in action, records the following:- “Informant states on one day between the 29th April and the 2nd May 1915 at Anzac near Quinns Post he was in trenches and saw Briggs shot in the head. He was dead. Informant knew Briggs well and says he could not possibly be mistaken.” The informant was No.1239, Private H. R. Stanley, 12th Australian Infantry, B Company, VI Platoon, Harefield Hospital, Middlesex, England, dated 3rd February 1916. “Informant states that if Briggs is a Corporal (and that was the only Briggs in his Company and the number agrees) he was missing after the landing at Gallipoli, but was afterwards found at a hospital in Egypt, he rejoined at the Base in France and then went up to join the Unit, the first week in August. Informant has been in his company several times.” The informant was No.953, Private McTondoe, 12th A.I.F., Kitcheners Hospital, Brighton, England, dated 26th September 1916. “Informant knew deceased by sight, and was an eyewitness to his death. Description:- was a Corporal, well built, smart and clean, about 5’8” in height, and between 28 and 30 years of age. He was called Roy by all the men in his Platoon. Informant saw him hit by a sniper through the head on Monday April 26th 1915. He died immediately and without much suffering. This was in the centre of the line at Lone Pine. Informant knows nothing at all of the burial of deceased and cannot refer to any persons who would be likely to know.” Informant Lieutenant H. Lamber M.C., Headquarters A.I.F., Adelaide, South Australia. His elder brother Frederick William also fell.