Lost Uncle Francis Smith

[joesmith]

Looking for help with this one while the site is quite.
Francis Smith born 20/8/1897 in Liverpool joined the ROYAL NAVY FOR 12 years his Reg ser number J 30796 he was in the battle of Jutland on HMS BIRMINGHAM then joined HMS DORIS in 1917 HMS DORIS was sent from the Mediterranean to the East Indies. By the end of the month she was active between Freemantle and Mauritus hunting for German raiders.
On his last report from HMS DORIS it states he Run ( AWOL ) 24/07/1917.
It's a shot in the dark but maybe someone out their can help Joe

[MaryA]

Do you know the last place he might have docked? and are there any family tales of where he might have run off to? One of mine was said to have absconded to Australia and it took me a long time but eventually I did find an entry in the Australian Criminal Register on Ancestry for him - even a photograph. So even a whisper of gossip might be worth following.

[joesmith]

Thank you Mary for a quick reply, with my family almost gone I'm last of ten at 14days off 78 yrs plus my sister she is not well enough at the moment.
Someone did mention Australia but not come up with anything yet.
The story goes he fancied my Mother I did not believe it.
My Dad was in the Battle of Jutland his ship was damaged so his ship went for repair in dock he nipped home and married Mum in 1917.
Joe

[MaryA]

Bet your mum was a looker so perhaps it was true

Well I'll let you know if I come across anything.