Francis Pepys was killed in action on this day in 1914

A young and very junior officer to have been awarded the prestigious DSO, Francis Pepys earned this medal for bravery on 3 November. Little over a week later he was killed.

The citation for his award, dated 1 December 1914, reads as follows:

"On 3rd November 1914, he did conspicuous good work in advancing from his trench and assisting in driving away a party of the enemy who were commencing to dig a new trench within 30 yards of his own; 30 of the enemy were shot down on the occasion".

Writing of the DSO which he had gained, his Commanding Officer described how he had “most thoroughly earned” the award for his determined action in repulsing the enemy “and for his splendid leading on other occasions."

Francis was the son of Captain Arthur Pepys (late 60th Rifles) and Margaret (née Lomax) and was born at Budleigh Salterton in April 1891. The family lived at Knowle House in East Budleigh.

After attending Charterhouse (where he was in the Cricket XI) he joined the Special Reserve of the Devonshire Regiment, becoming a regular officer in the 2nd Ox & Bucks Light Infantry in May 1913.

He was reported to be very fond of hunting, steeple-chasing, cricket, rackets, golf, shooting, fishing and skiing.

Francis went to France on 13th August 1914.

He was involved in the retreat from Mons and the battles of the Marne and Aisne. He was awarded the D.S.O. for his actions on the November 3rd. He also helped repulse an attack by the Prussian Guards at Ypres on 11 November.

Francis was killed in action the following day by a shell burst as he stepped out of his trench. Posthumously he was mentioned in a despatch from Sir John French on 15th January 1915

He has no known grave, being commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres.

He is named on the Lord's Cricket Members War Memorial, and also appears on the All Saints’ Church war memorial in Budleigh Salterton.

2nd Lt Francis Pepys, 2nd Bn, Ox & Bucks Light Infantry