Early life
Alexander Francis was born at 40 Woodfield Road, Paddington on 11th February 1881. Initially, his surname was Tillett. His father was Alexander Tillett, a Mariner. His mother was Elizabeth Martha Salmon.
However, Alexander’s parents never married. Subsequently, both married other partners. Elizabeth married Charles Wyatt Francis in 1885.
Elizabeth listed as a Spinster on her marriage certificate.
As a result of this, Alexander spent his early years with his mother. That being the case, he assumed his stepfather’s surname, Francis.
Married Life
Sometime between 1891 and 1896 the family moved from Paddington to Birmingham. Following this, Elizabeth died on 26th February 1896 at 6 Devonshire Villas, Small Heath. After this Alexander continued to live with his stepfather and his mother’s sister, Mary Ann. Subsequently, Mary Ann and Charles married. Alexander married Rosa May Fletcher in 1919. Following this, they set up home in Tamworth, where their son Alexander Wyatt Francis was born. As a result of Alexander naming his son after his stepfather, we can conclude that they were close.
Later, Alexander and Rosa moved to 314 Coleshill Road, Ward End from whence they operated a building company.
Death
Alexander died on 6th April 1938 in Bon Accord Nursing Home, Sherbourne Road, Acock’s Green. He was buried in Castle Bromwich Graveyard. Following his death, his wife was granted probate of his estate valued at £38,677. Today this would equate to nearly £3,000,000.
Around the same time , Alexander’s family erected another memorial by the entrance to Castle Bromwich Graveyard. It is dedicated to the families of people interned in the graves.
Resources
Genealogy, Family Trees and Family History Records online – Ancestry.com
UK Inflation Calculator: GBP from 1751 to 2022 (in2013dollars.com)
