Hi

I found this but you may have to investigate it a bit more his age is not given but if it is your Francis he would be about 46 when he went missing could he have enlisted as a young man and was away when the census was taken

Name: HALLIDAY, F
Rank: Private
Soldier number: 4317
Unit: 1 Battalion The Gloucestershire Regiment
Notes:
Age:
Literary references:


Casualty:
Casualty details: Missing - Released on 30 Oct 1899 at Ladysmith (Official casualty roll location: Ladysmith)
Unit: 1 Battalion The Gloucestershire Regiment
Source: Natal Field Force. JB Hayward & Sons

Shelagh