Francis White (soldier) facts for kids
Francis White (who died in December 1657) was an English soldier and politician. He was a member of the House of Commons, which is like a part of the government that makes laws, in 1656. He sadly died at sea after serving in a place called Flanders.
Early Military Career
Francis White started his career as a major in a military group called the Lord General's Regiment of Foot. In May 1649, he was sent by Oliver Cromwell, a very important leader at the time, to talk with soldiers who were rebelling in Burford Oxford.
In September 1650, a group called the Council of State, which helped run the country, paid White £300. This was a reward for bringing good news from Scotland. By 1653, he had become a Lieutenant Colonel in another military group, Colonel Goff's Regiment of Foot. The Council of State even allowed him to open a door from his house in King's Street into an orchard in Whitehall in August 1653. By 1655, he was very active in a committee that managed military supplies.
Political Life
In 1656, Francis White was chosen to be a Member of Parliament for Tewkesbury. This meant he represented the people of Tewkesbury in the Second Protectorate Parliament, which was the government's law-making body during that time.
Final Mission and Death
In 1657, Francis White was sent by the Council of State to Fort-Mardyck, a fort in a foreign land. His job was to take charge of things there. On his way back, he was tragically lost at sea.
On December 7, 1657, Admiral Richard Stayner reported the sad news. His ship, the Half Moon, had returned from Mardyke. However, the smaller ship, called a pink, that was traveling with it had disappeared. This pink ship was carrying Francis White and another important person, Sir John Reynolds. A trunk containing White's personal letters later washed ashore. It was said that White had chosen to travel on the pink ship even though he was advised not to. He was lost near a dangerous area of sandbanks called the Goodwin Sands. John Thurloe, another important figure, wrote that their loss was "much to be lamented," meaning it was very sad, because they were "very worthy persons and of great use."
