Major-General Francis Ventris CB (1857–1929) was Commander of British Forces in China.

The son of Edward Favell Ventris, who was Vicar of West Mersea in Essex before becoming Rector of Church Aston, Newport, Shropshire, by his wife Rose (née Fisher),[1] he was educated at Adams' Grammar School in Newport.

[6] He retired in 1909[7] but was then recalled at the start of World War I to become General Officer Commanding 25th Division in September 1914.

His eldest son Edward (1885-1938) was the father of Michael Ventris, who deciphered Linear B.

[12] His youngest son Second Lieutenant Alan Favell Ventris of the South Lancashire Regiment was killed in action near Ypres on 14 September 1915, age 18 years, and is interred at Birr Crossroads Cemetery.