Francis Gunn Hendry - Lest We Forget

Francis Gunn Hendry was born June 3, 1884 at Lawrence, Otago, New Zealand. He was the son of George and Catherine Hendry, who were originally from Caithness, Scotland. Francis’s attestation paper shows that his parents were still living in New Zealand in 1915. Francis worked as a Locomotive Engineer with the Canadian Pacific Railroad out of the Revelstoke Division.

Francis Hendry signed his enlistment papers on June 23, 1915 at Vernon. He was one of about 100 men from this area who joined the 54th Kootenay Battalion in the spring and summer of 1915. His regimental number was 442101. He was 31 years old, single, 5’ 7” tall with brown hair and brown eyes. His religious affiliation was Presbyterian.

Francis Hendry died on August 15, 1917 during the battle for Hill 70. He was 33 years old. At the time of his death he was a Private with the 7th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (British Columbia) Regiment. He is buried at the Bethune Town Cemetery, France.

The name of Francis Hendry is inscribed on the Courthouse and Cenotaph plaques and his name was also included in the St. John’s Presbyterian Church Honor Roll and the YMCA Honor Roll.