Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Born in 1912 in Kalgoorlie WA, Francis was the third of six children of Francis (Frank) Patrick Joseph Moran (b1879 in New Zealand) and Clarice Annie Smith (b1879 in Tenterfield, NSW). Frank (a Civil Servant) and Clarice married in Coolgardie WA in 1907. Frank had arrived in Fremantle WA with his parents and siblings in 1891, then moved to the WA Goldfields the next year. Frank started work as a Junior Clerk in 1895 with the Water Supply Dept and was working for the PWD in 1907 when he and Clarice married. Frank worked in Perth and then in Wyndham WA as a Costings Clerk when the new WA Government Meat Works was established. He was back in Kalgoorlie WA in the early 1920s.

Francis started work With the WA Government Railways as a Painter's Apprentice in 1928. He had attended the Christian Brothers' College in Kalgoorlie and then the Railway Technical School at Midland Junction. In 1938 Francis was in Port Augusta, South Australia when he married Moreen Hannigan (b1917 in Port Augusta, South Australia).

In October 1941 Francis enlisted in the RAAF (Aircraftman I; Service No:416980). He  was a Leading Aircraftman attached to No 2 BAGS Port Pirie in April 1942 when he was awarded his Air Gunner Badge. He served as a Wireless Air Gunner (September 1942) and Wireless Operator (Air; March 1944). Francis was a Warrant Officer attached to 43 Squadron in an 'Active Area from 14 August 1944 to 8 May 1945 and was Discharged in August 1945.

Francis and Moreen settled in Port Augusta, where Moreen died in 1958 and Francis in 1984.