Francis Elliott**

Francis, also known as Frank, was possibly born at the Strokestown Union Workhouse on the 10 March 1880. Francis married Hannah (aka Annie) McCormack of Moydow in St. Bridget's Church, Ardagh on the 17 August 1910. They had four children, including Elizabeth, Patrick and Francis. The family appeared to move around a bit, likely in search of work, as Francis was a labourer, however they did reside in Co. Longford for a period. 

At the time of Frank's death, he was described as being an ex-soldier. It is believed that Frank enlisted with the Royal Marines on the 7 Nov 1898, where he gave his address and birthplace as Lanesboro, Co. Longford and former occupation as carpenter; he appears to have been discharged in 1904 in Glasgow.  It is not known if Frank served in WW1. By the 1920s the family lived in Feenagh, Co. Roscommon, where the youngest child was born.

Prior to his death, Frank was working as the gatekeeper to the then new cemetery on the Athlone Road in Roscommon. On the night of the 4th March 1921, two armed men removed Frank from his home in Co. Roscommon. He was found dead a few miles away, in Curry, with a warning note placed in his pocket. 

Possible Civil Record of Birth (ensure web address ends in .pdf); link to Civil Record of Marriage; link to Civil Record of Death;  'Roscommon Soldier - Body Found On Roadside' Irish Ind., 7 Mar 1921; Military Inquiries, Freeman's Jrnl, Mar 1921;