• Dornier Do 17
• Junker Ju 88
• Messerschmitt Bf 110

Date of birth:

October 2nd, 1911

Date of death:

December 12th, 1940

Service number:

562984/44753

Nationality:

British

William Henry Franklin was born on October 2nd, 1911 as son to George Henry Franklin and Harriet Franklin. After his education at the Thomas Street Central School in Limehouse, he joined the Royal Air Force as Aircraft Apprentice in 1929 and was later trained as pilot. He married Louise Eliza Kogel in 1937. William Franklin was killed in an air battle on December 12th, 1940.

Promotions:
?: Flight Sergeant;
October 13th, 1940: Pilot Officer on probation (seniority September 18th, 1940).

Career:
?: Thomas Street Central School, Limehouse;
1929: Aircraft Apprentice, Royal Air Force;
December 1931: Aircraft Fitter;
?: Pilot Royal Air Force;
1937: 'B' Flight No. 65 Squadron.

Victories:
May 22nd, 1940: Junkers Ju 88 (damaged);
May 24th, 1940: Henschel Hs 126 (shared);
May 26th, 1940: Messerschmitt Bf 109;
May 26th, 1940: Messerschmitt Bf 110;
May 27th, 1940: Junkers Ju 88;
May 27th, 1940: Dornier Do 17 (shared);
May 28th, 1940: Dornier Do 17 (shared);
June 25th, 1940: Messerschmitt Bf 109;
June 25th, 1940: Messerschmitt Bf 109;
July 7th, - August 16th, 1940: 8x Messerschmitt Bf 109.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Flight Sergeant

Unit:

No. 65 (East India) Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

July 9th, 1940

Citation:
"During a period of six days in May, 1940, Flight Sergeant Franklin took part in numerous offensive patrols over Northern France and on eight occasions was in combat with the enemy. He has himself shot down one Junkers and two Messerschmitt aircraft and in company with his section he has destroyed three other enemy aircraft. One day in June, 1940, in company with his squadron, Flight Sergeant Franklin engaged fifteen to twenty Messerschmitt 109's and destroyed two. Throughout these engagements he has shown great skill, courage and determination in pressing home his attacks.
On one occasion he chased an enemy aircraft more than 20 miles, almost at ground level, before destroying it."

LG 34892/4177.

• Photo 1: Tom MacNeill
• - The London Gazette of 9th July 1940, Issue 34892
  - The London Gazette of 12th November 1940, Issue 34989
  - Battle of Britain London Monument