The AIF Project

Herbert Leyshon FRANKLIN

Regimental number3104
Place of birthAlbert Park, Victoria
SchoolMelbourne Church of England Grammar School, Victoria
Other trainingBusiness course at Bradshaw's Business College
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationClerk
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation23
Height5' 4.75"
Weight159 lbs
Next of kinMother, Mrs Mary Margaret Franklin, Rockley Road, South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria
Previous military serviceServed for 2 years in the Senior Cadets, Melbourne Grammar School, Victoria.
Enlistment date27 July 1915
Place of enlistmentMelbourne, Victoria
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name21st Battalion, 7th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/38/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A18 Wiltshire on 18 November 1915
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll60th Battalion
FateKilled in Action 19 July 1916
Place of death or woundingFleurbaix, France (Battle of Fromelles)
Age at death24
Age at death from cemetery records24
Place of burialNo known grave
Commemoration detailsV.C. Corner (Panel No 20), Australian Cemetery Memorial, Fromelles, France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
169
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: Herbert and Mary Margaret FRANKLIN, 21 Wallace Avenue, Toorak, Victoria. Native of Melbourne
Family/military connectionsBrother: 3105 Pte Charles Wyndham FRANKLIN, 60th Bn, killed in action, 19 July 1917.
Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Taken on strength, 60th Bn, Tel el Kebir, 26 February 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 18 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 20 June 1916.

Reported missing in Action, 19 July 1916.

Now, 25 August 1916, reported 'Killed in Action, 19 July 1916'.

Statement, Red Cross File No 1100809, 1414 CSM R. WILLIAMS [?] A Company, 60th Bn (patient, Havre Hospital), 14 June 1917: 'At Flers Bay (sic) we were attacking on the 19th July at 7 p.m. we were repulsed and retired in our own line which we held. There were two brothers Franklin, one about 5' 8" in height, and the other about 5' 4" in height, both dark and came from Melbourne. I do not know which one the above is [H.L. FRANKLIN], I know them both very well. I saw the small one Franklin lying on the ground in "No man's land" (sic) at Flers Bay on the 19th July on our retirement; he was shot through the stomach and shoulder. He was very bad. He asked me to cut his equipment off which I did; he said "That is better Billy'. I put him into a shell hole (the same as I put Pt. L. Bloors into); he was in great pain. I could do nothing for him and told him I would send some stretcher bearers. the wounded were brought in next morning; there was a heavy mist which enabled us to bring in a lot of men. Nothing was seen of Franklin. Our lines and the German lines were 420 yards apart; it was half way over I saw Franklin. I do not think he could have been taken prisoner; even if he had lived the Germans were not over the ground.'

Note on file: 'No trace Germany. Cert. by Capt. Mills. 10.10.19.'

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, FRANKLIN Herbert Leyshon
Red Cross File No 1100809

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