John William Franklin
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
John William Franklin was born Sheffield in 1883. He was the second child of John and Anne E Franklin. Over the couple’s married lifetime, they had 11 children but with only 6 surviving, all being born in Sheffield. John Senior had a selection of jobs as boilermaker, grocer and fruit salesman. In 1891, they were resident at 52 Latimer Street, Sheffield and had moved to 82 Andover Street, Brightside Bierlow, Sheffield in 1901. John William was now 18 years old and was working as a silver finisher and white smith apprentice. In 1906, he married Phoebe Agnes Regan at Sheffield and had 2 children, Phoebe Agnes in 1907 and John in 1909. Within 2 years this family had moved to Worksop, resident at 9 Newgate Street, where John William tried his hand as a general dealer shopkeeper selling hardware like brushes, pots, etc. Before he answered the call, the couple had 3 more children born in Worksop, Nora 1912, Joseph 1914 and Mary 1917. Back in Sheffield, John William’s mother, Anne died in 1915 age 55 and his father died the following year aged 61.
Pte. W Franklin Worksop Guardian 17 August 1917 Of all the tragedies wrought by the war none is more sad than the death in action of Pte. John Wm. Franklin, Sherwood Foresters, of Bridge Place, Worksop, who only joined up in March this year, and who leaves a widow and five young children, the eldest of whom is scarcely ten, and the youngest an infant of eight months. The news conveyed to Mrs. Franklin in a letter from Serge. Waller, of her husbands platoon; and though no official confirmation has come to hand at the time of writing, there is unfortunately no reason to doubts it’s accuracy. Although Pte. Franklin only joined in March; he was drafted to France on May 29th, a remarkably short period of training one would think. In this letter Serge. Waller says:- “Dear Mrs Franklin,-I am very sorry to have to write such a sad letter to you telling of the death of your husband, J. W. Franklin, which happened on July-( evidently a mistake for August)-6th. He was alive when I got to him but he never spoke a word. He was a good man at his work, and I am very sorry to lose such a man as him, and I was very proud to have such a man in my Platoon. All the boys in the platoon send you their deepest sympathy in your great trouble, also how I regret to write such a letter. I send my deepest sympathy to you and your family, from his Platoon Serge.-Yours sincerely, Serge. F. Waller”. Pte Franklin was a Sheffield man by birth and came to Worksop some years ago as a general dealer, in which capacity he, by industry and perseverance established a good business, with headquarters at Bridge Place. He was exceedingly well-known in the town and very popular. His bright and sunny nature won him many friends, and his readiness to give his services as vocalist at concerts for various objects was much appreciated. He was a member of St. Mary’s R. C. Church, and a warm supporter of St. Phillip’s Club, which has now lost several members, killed in action. He was 35 years of age, and in his younger days he made a name for himself on the running path. Great sympathy is felt for Mrs. Franklin and her little ones.
Buried at Voormezeele Enclosures No. 1 and 2, Belgium. Research by Colin Dannatt
