Richard Powell Francis (1860–1894) was the first Australian to graduate from Balliol College (Oxford University) and died after rescuing others in the 1893 Brisbane flood.
He lived with his wife at Corinda in the home built by his father, traveling daily back and forth to the Brisbane Grammar School.
In February 1893, Brisbane experienced a huge flood which inundated a large portion of the Chelmer, Graceville, Sherwood and Corinda area.
According to accounts published at the time, this young grammar school master could not have done what he did, save for the fact that he was an athlete, a prominent Rugby footballer and cricketer.
Yet for three days and nights without ceasing, he rescued marooned people with his row boat over the flood waters without stopping to sleep or even to rest, snatching a bite of food as opportunity offered.
[7] His wife Mary gave birth to their only son, Richard Powell Waugh Francis on 16 April 1893 a couple of months after his death.