Regimental number | 3104 |
Place of birth | Albert Park, Victoria |
School | Melbourne Church of England Grammar School, Victoria |
Other training | Business course at Bradshaw's Business College |
Religion | Church of England |
Occupation | Clerk |
Marital status | Single |
Age at embarkation | 23 |
Height | 5' 4.75" |
Weight | 159 lbs |
Next of kin | Mother, Mrs Mary Margaret Franklin, Rockley Road, South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria |
Previous military service | Served for 2 years in the Senior Cadets, Melbourne Grammar School, Victoria. |
Enlistment date | |
Place of enlistment | Melbourne, Victoria |
Rank on enlistment | Private |
Unit name | 21st Battalion, 7th Reinforcement |
AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/38/2 |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A18 Wiltshire on |
Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
Unit from Nominal Roll | 60th Battalion |
Fate | Killed in Action |
Place of death or wounding | Fleurbaix, France (Battle of Fromelles) |
Age at death | 24 |
Age at death from cemetery records | 24 |
Place of burial | No known grave |
Commemoration details | V.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 connections | Brother: 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 |
Sources | NAA: B2455, FRANKLIN Herbert Leyshon
Red Cross File No 1100809 |