F G Pettet is probably the same Francis Pettet who appears on the 1891 census for Barcombe in Sussex.  At the time the census was taken the family was living at Markstakes Common and comprised Thomas Pettet (head, aged 47, a journeyman brickmaker), his 40 year old wife Ellen and their two children: Francis (aged six) and Florence Pettet (aged four).  Francis had been born in Barcombe and his birth registered in the December quarter of 1884 at Lewes as Francis George Pettet.  In 1891, the family also had a 13 year old servant (Sarah Fermor or Fermer) and a lodger, Ernest Cox aged 34.

 

I have been unable to trace Francis Pettet (or Pettit) on the 1901 census.

 

Chailey Parish Magazine first mentions Francis in December 1916, noting simply, Pettit, Pte F. The following month, that information is updated to noted his middle initial and that he is serving with the Royal Field Artillery.  In April 1917, Chailey Parish Magazine corrects his rank to “Gunner” and Pettet, Gunner F G, RFA is then repeated up to and including the final published roll call in July 1919.

 

He is probably T906175 (later 289696) Gunner Francis G Pettit as recorded on the National Archives’ medal index cards, although this line of research still needs to be investigated more thoroughly.

 

 

Sources & Acknowledgements:

 

• 1891 Census of England & Wales
• England & Wales, Civil Registration Index: 1837-1983
• Chailey Parish Magazine
• The National Archives: Medal Index Cards