Franklin RV

Lt Rodney Vernon Franklin CdeG (1896 - 1917)

Lt Franklin (known in family as Uncle Vernon) was born in Mt Barker, South Australia, on 21 September 1896.

In the photo below he is shown with his sisters, Doris upper left, eldest sister Marion, lower left and Alberta lower right. Alberta is the mother of Betty and grandmother of Peter, Susan and John (Taylor), who were all born in Adelaide (Peter later lived in Canberra as an academic). There was also an older brother, Arthur, who was an engineer and has descendants in various parts of Australia, mainly in Sydney and Perth. Marion married a McPherson and also has descendants, mainly in Sydney.

He had studied at the Gawler School of Mines, where all his results, including mathematics and physics were graded as "First Class", and then was serving an apprenticeship as an Engineer in Gawler at Messrs James Martin and Co engineering works when he enlisted in the 10th Battalion of the Australian Army on 24 August 1914 (Army number 414). There was obviously some discussion about the dangers ahead of him. He rationalised to his family that he also faced dangers due to accident at home. I feel rather close to him as my grandmother used to talk to me about her younger brother regularly and she was clearly very fond of him.

Australian Army (10 Battalion)

The 10th Battalion was one of Australia's most decorated, receiving 3 Victoria Crosses in World War 1, serving in the initial landing in Gallipoli and then in France.

Wikipedia background

The 10th Battalion was raised shortly after the outbreak of World War I as part of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF), an all-volunteer force raised for overseas service. Recruited in South Australia, the battalion came into being on 17 August 1914 at the Morphettville Racecourse in Adelaide, drawing volunteers mainly from the local population as well as some from Broken Hill in outback New South Wales. Volunteers included men who had previously served in the part-time forces before the war, coming from a variety of units including the 10th Australian Infantry Regiment, which had formerly been known as the Adelaide Rifles. Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Stanley Price Weir, after formation the battalion was attached to the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, along with the 9th, 11th and 12th Battalions, and was one of the first units of the AIF raised for the war. With an establishment of 31 officers and 974 other ranks spread across eight companies, the battalion's personnel received a short period of individual basic training, culminating in the presentation of the regimental colours on 17 September and a march past the state Parliament House on 21 September. The following month, collective training at company and battalion level took place at Belair National Park and at Glenelg, South Australia. On 20 October, the battalion embarked on the ex-passenger liner, HMAT Ascanius, bound for the Middle East; it was the first South Australian infantry unit to leave Australia during the war.

After briefly stopping in Albany, where its convoy was delayed due to concerns over the presence of German warships en route, the 10th Battalion departed Australian waters in November and proceeded towards Egypt. Initially, the plan had been for the battalion to continue on the United Kingdom from where it would subsequently move to the Western Front. Poor conditions and overcrowding in training camps in the United Kingdom resulted in the decision to disembark the Australians in Alexandria instead. Arriving there on 4 December 1914, the battalion was sent into camp at Mena, near Cairo.

The 10th Battalion underwent desert training in January and February 1915, during which time it was reorganised around the four-company structure that had been adopted by the British. Designated 'A' to 'D', each company consisted of 228 men that were spread across four platoons. In late February, the 3rd Brigade received orders that it was being committed to an operation in the Dardanelles and, after moving by rail to Alexandria, boarded Ionian, a Greek steamer, on 1 March. After reaching Lemnos, a shortage of fresh water on the island meant that the battalion was housed on the ship for the next seven weeks, although this was spent ashore conducting exercises and mounting guard duty. Planning for a landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula began in early April; while this proceeded, on 15 April the battalion was issued its distinctive blue and purple unit colour patch.

On 24 April 1915, the 10th Battalion embarked for Gallipoli. Two companies and the battalion headquarters were allocated to the battleship HMS Prince of Wales, while the other two companies embarked on two destroyers, Scourge and Foxhound. At approximately 4:30 am on 25 April 1915, the 10th Battalion was one of the first units to come ashore at Anzac Cove as part of the covering force – drawn from Colonel Ewen Sinclair-Maclagan's 3rd Brigade – for the main Anzac landing. Troops from the battalion landed near the centre of the cove and, ascending the Ariburnu Ridge, attempted to push inland towards the Sari Bair Range. According to the Australian War Memorial they are "believed to have penetrated further inland" than any other Australian unit. Casualties in the first weeks of the campaign were heavy, with the battalion losing 397 men killed or wounded between 25 April and 9 May. The advance stalled as Turkish resistance grew, and the Turks launched a heavy counter-attack on 19 May. By this time, the 3rd Brigade was located around Bolton's Ridge, with the brigade's four battalions occupying the line abreast; the 10th Battalion occupying a position south of Lone Pine, overlooking a wheat field through which the Turkish attack came. Caught in heavy crossfire, the attack was turned back with heavy losses. Following this, as both sides dug in, the campaign ground to a stalemate, and the battalion undertook mainly defensive duties along the perimeter around Anzac Cove. On 8 July, the remnants of the battalion, which now consisted of just over 500 personnel, was withdrawn to Imbros Island for a brief rest period out of the line, before returning to Anzac on 11 July; after this, the 10th Battalion relieved the 11th, occupying a position around Silt Spur, opposite Lone Pine.

Back to Rodney Vernon Franklin

Rodney Vernon Franklin served in the landing at Gallipoli as an ANZAC. In his letters to his parents he wrote of the landing (while in hospital afterward).

On the 24th we made a move and landed successfully on Gallipoli Peninsula at daybreak on Sunday 25th. The 3rd Brigade were the covering party, so we had the honour of landing first and by jove, didn't the Turks hop into us. Of course we had to get into little rowing boats to get ashore, and the bullets were splashing about our boats like fun, but none of us got hit. When we got ashore, the beach was only about 10 yards wide, and then up the cliffs, with the Turks lined along the top. When we got ¾ way up, they must have got a bit frightened of our bayonets, because they made a hurried departure. When we reached the top there were no Turks in sight (except a few wounded ones).

Then we went on to the next ridge and got the word that the Turks were preparing to make a counter attack, so we started digging ourselves in, but couldn't get deep enough before they started to attack. Jack Waller (the boy in the photo with me) got shot through the right shoulder about ½ hour after. He was beside me at the time and went down without a groan.

After that we had a pretty hot time all day and at night it rained and of course we had to lay and get wet through. In the morning (26th) they started stronger than ever, but our boys managed to keep them back. On Monday p.m. I got ½ hours sleep and on Tuesday a.m. some of us were sent to reinforce the left flank. It was hotter than ever. We had been in before, and I don't know how we managed to stick there and come out of it alive.

Well on Tuesday p.m. the officer in charge sent us fellows (reinforcements of morning) down to the beach for a sleep (about 10 of us). When we got down there one of the boys got too far out to the water's edge and got shot with shrapnel.

All of this time my throat was absolutely closed up and had nothing to eat from Sat p.m. On Wed a.m. the boys told me to see the doctor and he ordered me back to the boat, so here we are back in crook old Egypt.

In a later account he wrote

By Jove, if I was ever proud to be an Australian, it was on that Sunday morning when we landed against that absolutely galling gun and rifle fire. You can have no conception of what it was like!!! When the Queen Elizabeth started firing her big guns, it made the earth tremble, and the scream of her shells going over our heads was as sweet music in our ears.

While we were landing, the enemy had a gun in such a position as to bring a raking fire along the beach. The old Queen Lizzie got to work and put it out of action second shot. I saw that shot strike and you ought to have seen the flare and explosion!!!

While we were being towed ashore in little boats, we had to sit huddled together and couldn't move and, of course, they had us at their mercy. I could tell you that until we got out of that bally boat, I was in a Devil of a funk, but as soon as we got a foot ashore it all seemed to be different, as then we had a chance of doing something ourselves, and we didn't half forget to do it either.

"We took up our position in the enemy's line of trenches and gradually advanced down the hill during the first day. The enemy took up their position in their third line. It was a terrible job getting the wounded back to the beach."

He was discharged as a corporal on 26 November 1915.

10th Battalion Time Line

It is possible to pinpoint Uncle Vernon's time in the 10th Battalion from various documents, including those in the Australian Archive.

1914 July 28 War starts.

1914 August 17 Uncle Vernon volunteers at Morphetville racecourse.

1914 August 24 Has passed medical, formally joins 10th Battalion as soldier 414. Training at Belair National Park and Glenelg.

1914 October 20 Departs Adelaide with Battalion aboard HMAT Ascamus for Egypt via Albany.

1914 December 04 They arrive at Alexandria and are taken to Mena Camp, near Cairo, undertaking desert training.

1915 February late rail Cairo to Alexandria and depart on Greek steamer Ionian for Lemnos Island, where they stay for 7 weeks.

1915 April 24 Leave Lemnos for Dardanelles.

1915 April 25 In covering party for Gallipoli landing. Later his Company deployed to bolstering left flank.

1915 April 28 Sick and evacuated on S.S. Galeka for hospital in Egypt.

1915 June 8 Left Alexandria.

1915 June 13 Rejoined Battalion at Gallipoli.

1915 August 06 Ill at Gallipoli with influenza.

1915 August 10 Evacuated to Lemnos.

1915 August 11 Boards SS Georgian for Mudros.

1915 August 14 Boards HMHS Aquitainia for London.

1915 August 23 Admitted with dysentry, Wandsworth Hospital.

1915 November 01 Discharged, Wandsworth Hospital.

1915 November 26 Discharged, Australian Army on basis of joining British Army as 2nd Lieutenant.

Royal Flying Corps (46, 16 and 58 Squadrons)

After being evacuated from Gallipoli, Cpl Franklin recovered in Egypt before returning to London to resume active service. In London, as my grandmother (his sister) frequently told me, he believed he was entering the office of the Australian Army. As it happened he had inadvertently gone next door where the British Army was recruiting. Before he realised his mistake he had been offered a full commission as 2nd Lieutenant with the British Army (a much higher rank than he had in Australia, as in Australia he was not a Commissioned Officer) and had been persuaded to sign with them.

Lt Franklin joined the British Army, the 10th Reserve Battalion of the Royal Lancaster Regiment, quoted as the "King's own Royal Lancaster Regiment of the Royal Flying Corps". He later served in France in 1 Brigade of the Royal Flying Corps, under Brigadier General Duncan le Geyt Pitcher (later an Air Commodore in the newly formed RAF). 1 Brigade supported the 37th Division under Major General Lord Edward Gleichen, who recommended him for the Military Cross for his good work generally.

1915 November 27 Commences as 2/Lt In King's Own Royal Lancashire Regiment. Starts training soon after in Sydford, Devonshire. Above photograph in this uniform in March 1916.

1916 June 09 First flight as training pilot.

1916 July 20 Royal Flying Corps 46 Squadron. Training at Sedgeford, Norfolk.

1916 August 1 Transferred to 16 Squadron, Merville, later Bruay, commences combat flights 11 August.

Lt Franklin in a Farnham plane, World War I

Lt Franklin's log book, which makes very interesting reading, was recently donated to the Australian War Memorial by Marilyn Riches, a grand daughter of Lt Franklin's older brother Arthur. I have translated into this pdf file. Marilyn also donated medals.

Lt Franklin was enlisted with 46 Squadron briefly, from 20 July 1916 to 01 August 1916, before transfer to 16 Squadron, where he saw action over France. He is photographed below in flying gear.

On many occasions he was fired upon, sometimes wounded, sometimes plane damaged.

On 2 November 1916 he was flying BE2c 4162, similar to the one below, with Lt C N Jones as observer, when both airmen were wounded, and the aircraft damaged, presumably by ground fire. In this incident he was the principal man behind a stunt at Vimy which resulted in the rout of 2,000 Huns (sic) by machine gun fire. His aeroplane was riddled with holes, but he managed to fly behind the British lines to land his observer, who was wounded. A French general who saw the action recommended him for the Croix de Guerre, being granted only for signal valour on the field in presence of the enemy.

On 4 December 1916 he was flying BE2c 4592, with Lt W J Lindsey as observer, when they had a combat with a German Roland at 5000 feet over Ballieul - during this mission they witnessed an FE8 of No 40 Sqn down an enemy aircraft.

This incident, and another in October, are described in the combat file for 16 Squadron for the months October to December 1916, in the National Archives of Britain. The file lists 6 aerial combat incidents by the squadron during the period. Lt. Franklin is the pilot in two of them. The pages for these two actions can be found here.

He was slightly wounded in the last incident described above, after four months of action, flying over enemy lines many times and most days, did a few test flights and then allowed to return to Australia for a few weeks with his family in early 1917. On his return it appears he thought he was returning to the western front. But he was intercepted by the Royal Flying Corps when his boat arrived in Alexandria and he cabled on 22 May to his father that he had been assigned to duties there instead.

Killed while testing plane

Lt Franklin resumed in the Royal Flying Corps in 58 Squadron, which seems to have been a training squadron, based in Egypt.

Lt Franklin was killed in Egypt on 24 June 1917, while testing a Martinsyde S.1 (Scout), a single seater, for adjustment.

He had taken the machine to 10,000 feet and looped-the-loop at each 1,000 feet level to test the strength and reliability of the machine.

It seems more than two British Commanders had written to CR Franklin about his son before he died, lauding his service. These included the two referred to above. One was Major General Lord Edward Gleichen, who commanded the British 37th Division until November 1916, including the final Battle of the Somme in November 1916.

Another was Brigadier General Duncan le Geyt Pitcher, who was his direct commander in the Royal Flying Corps, commander of 1 Brigade of the Corps.

When killed (at the age of 20), Lt Franklin had just been given the command of a flight squadron and been recommended for a captaincy.

Burial

Lt Franklin, as stated in "The War Graves of the British Empire" is buried in the Egypt 15-19 Suez War Memorial Cemetery, plot A. 56.

Presentation of Croix de Guerre

Lt Franklin's Croix de Guerre was presented to his father, Mr Charles Rudolph Franklin, in Gawler on 11 November 1918, as it was to be known Armistice Day. The following extracts come from the local newspaper, the Gawler Bunyip.

Gawler accorded a most enthusiastic welcome to the French Mission, led by the hero of Mulhausen, General Pau, when it reached the town during the morning. Murray Street made a brave show of bunting and before 10 a.m. the populace had assembled in large numbers before the Town Hall. The crowd was further augmented by the attendance of the children from the several schools; and at 10.15 all traffic was blocked by the crowd.

The Municipal Council were to do honour to France's representatives, and patriotic residents were prepared to show their loyalty and appreciation to the people of that gallant nation. The Cheer-up ladies were loaded with posies of flowers and as the cars drew up before the Town Hall the visitors were showered with the fragrant blossoms. Souvenirs of the occasion were presented to the guests, and were also made available to the public on payment of a small sum.

Mr E.A. Smith, the Town Clerk, was responsible for this production, which compressed in tabloid form the statistics of the district and the industries engaged in. Messrs May Bros and Co Ltd supplemented this souvenir by having on show the harvester designed and manufactured by the firm to the order of the Federal Government, and was to take its place in the Panama Exposition as indicative of Australia's means of harvesting. Unfortunately, through freight difficulties the harvester did not reach the Isthmus.

General Pau and other members of the Mission were received by the Mayor and introduced to the Councillors. Col. Price-Weir and the Hon E.A. Anstey (Minister of Repatriation), and Mr Victor Ryan (Tourist Bureau) accompanied the visitors. The guests were escorted to a raised platform, and General Pau's appearance was the signal for uproarious cheering.

The National Anthem was sung, and the Mayor gave his address of welcome. He said `My duty, and which is also a pleasure today, is to introduce our most worthy and distinguished visitors, General Pau (the leader) and the members of the French Mission. The Town Clerk has prepared an address which he will read, and which the visitors will carry away with them as a record of a triumphal progress not only through this fair land but through the hearts of the people as a whole. It is on the citizens' behalf that I offer the visitors a sincere and hearty welcome, and express the keenest regret that the call is so brief. There is one consolation, however, the memory of the visit, like that of the brave French soldiers, will never fade. I assure the Mission that Gawler is as one man in wishing them every possible success in any possible way. The citizens would, if they could take them into their homes that they would be honoured by their presence, to lead them into beautiful gardens, that they might taste luscious fruits and pluck the choicest flowers; to open them to their workshops that they might see and study all contained, for of all arts, sciences, crafts and mysteries, none would be hidden from them. They would lead them into the beautiful churches that they might kneel together and thank the Great Interpreter of every tongue and every motive for the blessings enjoyed, and the near prospects of peace. (Loud applause)

`Together they would plead for still greater strength and courage and wisdom that in the hour of victory they fail not. They would open to them the innermost secrets and treasures of their souls that they may read thereon the great strong love held for the dear innocent children of daughters, their rollicking boys, their brave, devoted, broken-hearted mothers, their mangled, bleeding, but unconquerable sons - those heroic sons of heroic fathers, wonderful sons of still more wonderful mothers. (Loud applause)

`To that great soldier, the hero of Mulhausen, General Pau, we would especially offer homage and sincerest congratulations. We rejoice that he has, after many years of weary oppression, driven from his native soil the brute beast that defiled his presence. All honour to the grand old man who gave his right hand for love of country. We rejoice that only as of yesterday he thrashed the blasphemous Potsdam bully with one hand, and the left hand at that. {Loud applause)

`We would express the hope that the robbers of 1870 will disgorge the gold they stole and that it will be returned with compound interest. La belle France deserves her indemnity. My people are like wrestling Jacob of old, who said - `I will not let Thee go until Thou bless me'. You have blessed us and thousands in this Commonwealth by your visit and given cheer to each and every loyal heart.' (Applause)

Mr E.A. Smith (Town Clerk) then read the formal address of welcome -

`General Pau and members of the French Mission - on behalf of the citizens of Gawler, we tender you a hearty welcome on this your first visit to our town. We are reminded that the gallant nation which you have the honour to represent has been fighting side by side with our Great British Empire for over four years, freeing righteous, liberty-loving people from the oppression of despotic militarism as recently expressed by those Hunnish enemies of ours - the Germans - whose barbarous actions in breaking so many of the recognised rules of civilised warfare will soon receive its just punishment. Australians all over the Commonwealth deeply deplore the brutal treatment that many of your noble citizens have had to endure, and also the devastation that has been wrought over many of your towns and villages. We note with admiration the stolid endurance and the great sacrifices made by the French people generally.

`Your nation has been tortured to the very depths, and it has stood firm to the end, and we are happy to know that your lands are now being liberated by the armies of the Allied Nations commanded by your Field Marshall Foch. It is a pleasure to know that the autocratic personage, the Kaiser, who is personally responsible for the commencement of this war, and many other despots ruling over enemy countries, have been dethroned through the error of their ways and are no longer to be reckoned with and we now daily await with confidence the receipt of news of the complete Allied victory, when a triumphal peace will be proclaimed and all the noble warriors of freedom's cause may return to their homelands and resume their peaceful avocations. May Divine Providence guide our great leaders in their deliberations so that so that we may have not only a just but also an abiding peace.

`We trust that your Mission in touring Australia for the social relations will be the means of further strengthening that bond that already unites our two countries and will be productive of the result you so ardently desire. May our captains of commerce and leaders in the political sphere of both nations work together for our common good and display the same spirit in our joint cause as that displayed by the great soldiers now fighting together on the battle front. We have every confidence that the result of your work will be mutually beneficial, and it is our earnest hope that the information you will have gained on your travels will greatly assist your people in rebuilding your towns and your industries in such a manner that will enable your citizens and their children that follow them to enjoy the liberty now being gained and have prosperity quickly restored to them, which they have so nobly fought for and won. We claim that Australia has made marked progress in industrial activities and rural development, but we realise that your unique visit to us will stimulate ourselves to greater activity in the future. May your visit to our town and district be educational and enjoyable, and in presenting you our cordial greetings we trust the blessings of a benign Providence may be bestowed upon you and your nation and at the conclusion of your labours that you be vouchsafed a safe return to your native land - Signed on behalf of the citizens of Gawler, HL Marsh, Mayor, BA Smith, Town Clerk, November 11, 1918.'

Gen. Pau, who was interpreted by Dr Siegried, acknowledged the compliment paid the French Mission, for they received nothing but kindness wherever they went. He thanked the Mayor and citizens for the remarks of sympathy to suffering France, their words having sunk deep into his heart. On behalf of France he thanked them for the help of Australia's sons, and for the many lives given to protect his beloved country from the attacks of the Germans. The sacrifices made would never be forgotten by the men and women of France. He was sorry that time did not allow them of seeing more of the Gawler district. On the way up from the city they had noticed the beauty of the lands and the wealth of the fields and they would have rejoiced to have visited the manufacturing centres. He had a message from the French nation to the people of Australia. It was an expression of gratitude to Australians for the charitable help given and the magnificent work of the women for the suffering of the country. If when hostilities had ceased, the relations between France and Australia had drawn closer, the visit of the Mission to this beautiful land would not have been in vain (Applause). He made a request that the authorities should grant the children a full holiday, and the General's kindly thought for the young was reciprocated was reciprocated by them with spontaneous ringing cheers.

The school children gave an inspiring rendering of `The Marsaillaise' the face of the old general lighting up with delight as the children's voices rang out clear and expressive.

A very impressive service was the presenting of the French Croix de Guerre by Gen. Pau to Mr C.R. Franklin awarded to his deceased son, Lt R.V. Franklin, M.C., who met his death on June 24th, 1917. Lieut. Rodney Vernon Franklin was a member of the King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment of the Royal Flying Corps, and was serving his apprenticeship as an Engineer at Messr. James Martin and Co.'s engineering works, Gawler, when he enlisted at this centre in August, 1914 at the age of 18 years. He served in France where Major-General Gleichen, recommended him for the Military Cross for his good work generally. He was also awarded the Croix de Guerre in November 1916 for his exploits in the air, he being the principal in a stunt at Vimy, where it has been stated that about 2,000 Huns were scattered by machine-gun fire. Lieut. Franklin's machine was riddled with holes from the German guns before he could return, but he manipulated his machine so as to get back behind the British lines and land his observer, who was wounded in action. A French General, who witnessed the young officer's good work, recommended him for the French decoration, which is understood to be equal to the British Victoria Cross. He was in the landing at Gallipoli, was consequently an Anzac and entitled to the Gallipoli Star. He met an untimely death on June 24, 1917, through testing a new type of aeroplane. He had just been given command of a flight squadron and had been recommended for a Captaincy.

Unfortunately the General's address could not be understood by his hearers, but his kindly face which reflected the dignity of his duty and the impressiveness of the ceremony, was an inspiration to the people. Interpreted, he said that he had a sacred duty to perform, and was honoured to pay homage to a brave Australian soldier who had not only done his full duty, but had made the supreme sacrifice for the love of his country. He had enlisted as a private and had won his rank of Lieutenant on the fields of bravery, and both the British and the French Governments had decorated this gallant soldier. He had done his duty to the French nation, and was worthy of the distinction that was only given to the brave men of the army. The parents should be proud of their son, who had done so much for both countries, and the citizens of Gawler should remember the bravery and the nobleness of this son of Gawler who was worthy of the admiration of all citizens and one who would make noble forever the city of the honouring (Loud applause). Gen. Pau then handed the Cross to Mr Franklin and reverently kissed the hand of the deceased soldier's mother.

Mr Franklin was proud to receive the award from a distinguished soldier of such a glorious country. He only regretted that the General had not been able to pin it on the breast of his son. He would rather be the father of such a son - although he lay in a soldier's grave - than the father of one of the slackers who stayed at home. (Applause)

Cheers were given for General Pau and as the members of the Mission proceeded to the cars to proceed to Roseworthy College, they were showered by the Cheer-up ladies with roses and posies of tricolour make-up and were presented with baskets of locally grown oranges. The visit, combined with the glorious news at night of the capitulation of the enemy, will ever remain in the memory of the people.

Grave of Lt Franklin in Suez, January 2006, photographed by great nephew Peter Taylor.

A cousin of mine and me have donated memorabilia to the AWM. The are filed as ACQD10041-002529 .

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