Francis Cheevers was a son of John and Sarah Cheevers of Cookstown. The family lived for a time in Killyleagh, County Down, and Francis enlisted in Downpatrick, joining the 13th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles. The 13th Battalion was raised from the ranks of the County Down Volunteers in September 1914, and after training at Clandeboye and Seaford, landed at Boulogne in October 1915. Preparations were under way for the Somme Offensive. He was killed as he attempted to cross ‘No Man’s Land’ on the morning of 1st July 1916, he has no known grave and is commemorated on panel 15A-15B on the Thiepval Memorial.
Further Information
Francis Cheevers was the eldest son of John and Sarah Cheevers. John Cheevers married Sarah Moore about 1894.
Francis was born on 27th April 1895 in Cookstown. He was one of seven children, six surviving.
By 1900, the family had moved to Downpatrick.
The 1901 census lists Francis as age 6 at house lists Francis as age 6 at house 35 in Ballygally, Inch, Down. His father was a butcher.
The 1911 census lists Frank as age 16 at house 21 in Frederick Street Killyleagh, County Down. Frank had left school and was working as a Mill Worker Machine Boy in a Spinning Mill. His father was a butcher.
Family: John Cheevers, Sarah Cheevers, Francis Cheevers (born 27th April 1895), Mary Cheevers (born 14th July 1897), Sarah Cheevers (born 18th January 1900, died 20th January 1900), Sarah Sadie Cheevers (born 28th February 1902), Alexander Cheevers (born 1st November 1904), Robert Cheevers (born 24th October 1906), Henry Cheevers (born 4th June 1910), Richard Cheevers (born 8th December 1912).
Francis Cheevers enlisted in Downpatrick, joining the 13th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles.
The 13th Battalion was raised from the ranks of the County Down Volunteers in September 1914, and after training at Clandeboye and Seaford, landed at Boulogne in October 1915. Preparations were under way for the Somme Offensive.
Rifleman Frank Cheevers is believed to have been killed in action as he attempted to cross ‘No Man’s Land’ on the morning of 1st July 1916. Frank was 21 years old.
Rifleman Cheevers has no known grave and is commemorated on panel 15A-15B on the Thiepval Memorial.
Rifleman Francis Cheevers is also commemorated on Cookstown Cenotaph and St.Luran’s Church of Ireland Roll of Honour, Derryloran, Cookstown.
Rifleman Francis Cheevers is also commemorated on Killyleagh War Memorial and Killyleagh Church of Ireland Roll of Honour.
The CWGC record Rifleman Francis Cheevers as the son of John and Sarah Cheevers of Killyleagh, County Down.
