Francis Underwood was a pupil at Oakham School between 1902 and 1907. He was the son of Francis and Elisabeth M Underwood, of 26 Westland Road, Watford. He joined the 18th Battalion Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) as a private on 15 September 1914 and gazetted as Second Lieutenant in the 4th Battalion on 8 July 1916. Francis died of wounds on 18 April 1917 at 36th Casualty Clearing Station, sustained when his battalion was engaged in helping to push the Germans back to the Hindenburg Line. Francis was 27 years old. He is buried in grave I.D.3 at Cayeux Military Cemetery and is remembered on the war memorial at Oakham School Chapel.