Name
Thomas David Andrews Franklin
1897
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
29/04/1917
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Corporal
17444
Bedfordshire Regiment
4th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
CANADIAN CEMETERY NO.2, NEUVILLE-ST. VAAST
15. B. 12.
France
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
All Saints' Church Memorial(s), Hockerill, Bishop's Stortford Town Memorial
Pre War
Thomas David Andrews Franklin was born in 1897 in Bishop's Stortford to Robert Franklin, a Butcher, and Amy (nee Rogers).
On the 1901 Census the family of parents, Frances (born 1895), Ada (born 1896), Thomas, Walter (born 1899 were living at 4 North Street, Halstead, Essex.
By the 1911 Census having returned to Bishops Stortford the family of parents, Ada, Thomas, schoolboy, Walter, Alexandra (born 1901), Cecil (born 1908), Victor (born 1911) were living at 4 Collins Cross, Bishop's Stortford. His father was a journeyman butcher.
Wartime Service
Thomas enlisted in Bishop's Stortford as Private 17444 in the 4th (Special Reserve) Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment and served in France from 4 Oct 1915 probably with 8th (Service) Battalion; At some time he may have been transferred to 4th Battalion to provide experienced personnel (a process called ‘stiffening’). 4th Battalion, which following the heavy casualties of the Battle of the Somme went to France on 25 Jul 1916 to form, with other similar units, 190 Brigade, 63 (Royal Navy) Division. In late 1916 they took part in Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 they were engaged in the 2 nd Battle of the Scarpe capturing Gavrelle on 23 Apr 1917.
Thomas was killed on 29 Apr 1917 during the Battle of Arras (the phase of Arleux). The battalion attacked at dawn and captured their objective but were counter attacked and driven out. They recaptured the trench and consolidated at about 11.00 am, however the trench was then heavily shelled by the Germans all day.
He is said to be Acting Corporal on some records.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £12 10s and arrears of £8 18s 1d was paid to his father Robert
Brother Walter served with Army Service Corps as M/301000 from 17 Mar 1917 and was demobilised in Dec 1919.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer, Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
