The AIF Project

Charles Wyndham FRANKLIN

Regimental number3105
Place of birthAlbert Park, Victoria
SchoolMelbourne Church of England Grammar School, Victoria
Other trainingAgricultural course at Dookie College, Victoria
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationLabourer
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation25
Height5' 10.75"
Weight175 lbs
Next of kinMother, Mrs Maru Margaret Franklin, Rockley Road, South Yarra, Melbourne, 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 1917
Place of death or woundingFleurbaix, France (Battle of Fromelles)
Age at death26
Age at death from cemetery records26
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, Victoria
Family/military connectionsBrother: 3104 Pte Herbert Leyshon FRANKLIN, 60th Bn, killed in action, 19 July 1916.
Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

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

Admitted to 8th Australian Field Ambulance, Outpost, Rail Head, 17 April 1916 (influenza); discharged to and rejoined Bn, Duntroon Plateau, 21 April 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 18 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 29 June 1916.

Reported missing in Action, 19 July 1916.

Court of Enquiry, held in the field, 4 August 1917, pronounced fate as 'Killed in Action, 19 July 1916'.

Statement, 4002 Pte E.G.B. MORAN, 60th Bn, [?] June 1917: '"Charlie", the elder brother of the two [brother: 3104 Pte H.L. FRANKLIN] was killed by concussion on the night of the 19th July at Fleurbaix. His body was in an upright posture sitting up in the Creek. One of his legs was broken across the shin, due no doubt to the fall. I saw the body still in the sitting posture when I was taken away. He was not buried.'

Second statement, 4002 Pte E.G.B. MORAN, 60th Bn, 9 february 1917: 'Witness saw soldier killed at Fleurbaix. Witness, soldier and soldier's brother were on the bank of a creek at the time. A shell exploded killing the brothers. Soldier fell into the creek, and remained in a sitting position. His leg was broken, but there no other wounds on him, so it was evident his death was caused by shell concussion.'

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 Charles Wyndham
Red Cross File No 1100802

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