Francis Leslie Whiting was born in New Plymouth in 1920, the eldest son of printer Francis David Courtnam Whiting (1895-1962) and his wife Edith May Whiting (nee Busby) (1897-1965).
Francis was a member of the Taranaki Regiment (Number 16 Platoon of D Support Company) when he was called up to enter Waverley Camp in September 1940. The following year he was ordered to Waiouru to form part of New Zealand’s first tank brigade but ended up serving with the 22nd Battalion instead (also known as the Wellington Battalion). This infantry unit fought in Greece and North Africa before being transferred to Italy towards the end of the war. Francis returned to New Zealand in September 1945 and was awarded the New Zealand War Service medal.
Francis was working as a printer’s assistant when he died on the morning of 12 August 1947 aged just 27. His mother Edith found him dead in his car which was parked in the family’s garage on South Road in New Plymouth, the engine on but not running. Carbon monoxide poisoning was reported to have been the cause of death, and it was assumed that the young man had committed suicide.
Francis Whiting is buried in the Returned Services area of Te Hēnui Cemetery.
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