Francis Gillespie

{{short description|English cricketer}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}

{{Use British English|date=March 2017}}

{{Infobox cricketer

| name = Francis Sydney Gillespie

| image =

| country =

| fullname =

| birth_date = {{birth date|1889|3|26|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Upper Norwood, Surrey

| death_date = {{death date and age|1916|6|18|1889|3|26|df=yes}}

| death_place = Mount Sorrel, Ypres salient, Belgium

| batting =

| bowling =

| role =

| club1 =

| year1 =

| clubnumber1 =

| club2 =

| year2 =

| clubnumber2 =

| date = 12 March 2017

| source = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/13625.html Cricinfo

}}

Francis Sydney Gillespie (26 March 1889 – 18 June 1916) was an English cricketer. He played six first-class matches for Surrey in 1913.{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/13625.html |title=Francis Gillespie |access-date=12 March 2017 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}} He was killed in action during World War I.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/538923/GILLESPIE,%20FRANCIS%20SYDNEY |title=Gillespie, Francis Sydney |access-date=12 March 2017 |work=Commonwealth War Graves Commission}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/cricketers-who-died-in-world-war-1-part-2-of-5-166354 |title=Cricketers who died in World War 1 — Part 2 of 5 |work=Cricket Country |date=3 August 2014 |access-date=28 November 2018}}

Gillespie was the son of John Gillespie, a Scottish engineer, and his wife, Eleanor. He attended Dulwich College between 1902 and 1904, and in his final year was in the 2nd XI cricket team. After leaving the school, he joined his father's business, but continued to pursue his interest in cricket. He was called up to the Surrey 2nd XI in 1912 and was promoted to the 1st XI the following year.{{cite web |title= Captain Francis Sydney Gillespie |publisher= Dulwich College |year= 2023 |url= https://dulwichcollege1914-18.co.uk/fallen/gillespie-fs/ |access-date= 22 March 2023 }}

Gillespie joined the Honourable Artillery Company shortly after the start of the First World War, but accepted a commission in the Royal Sussex Regiment soon afterwards. He was promoted to Captain in July 1915 and was sent to Ypres, Belgium in March the following year. On 17 June 1916, he was injured by enemy fire while leading a reconnaissance mission. He died of his wounds the following day. He is buried at the Merville Communal Cemetery in northern France.