Private Francis T. Lind was born at Bett's Cove, Notre Dame Bay, on March 9, 1879. There and at Little Bay Mines he received his education. At the age of fourteen, he entered the employ of J.W. Hodge of Fogo, where he was engaged for a few years. From Fogo, he came to St. John's, joining the staff of Ayre & Sons Limited. He lived in Amherst, Nove Scotia, for a short time and then returned to St. John's which later led to his enlisting with the Royal Newfoundland Regiment on September 16, 1914.