Francis Opie was born in Ballarat and was a draper's assistant by trade when he enlisted in the 2nd Casualty Clearing Station, 5th Reinforcement on 12 July 1915 at the age of 18. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Vic, on board RMS Orontes on 29 March 1916. In mid-July he arrived in France to serve with the 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station. On May 4th 1917 his courage and devotion to duty earned for him a Military Medal 'For conspicuous bravery as a bearer near Noreuil when he carried on under fire although wounded in the foot'. He had been on continuous stretcher bearer duty for 24 hours when he was wounded, but carried on for a further 12 hours. In September 1917 he became ill and was evacuated to the Norfolk Military Hospital in England suffering from Trench Fever and disordered action of the heart. He did not return to France but instead was assigned nursing duties on the Gaika on a return trip to Australia, disembarking at Melbourne on July 6th 1918. He was discharged 'medically unfit' two weeks later.