Gunner Alban Thomas FRANKLIN (1893-1918).

Service # 7/2093, Gunner, New Zealand Field Artillery, 9th Reinforcements, New Zealand Expeditionary Forces (NZEF).

Born 4 November 1893 at Riwaka, Tasman District, South Island, New Zealand.

Son of Thomas & Eliza Franklin of Sandy Bay, Riwaka, Tasman District, South Island, New Zealand.

Husband of Mrs Edith M. Franklin of London, England.

Prior to enlistment for war service Alban Franklin was a Farmer at Sandy Bay, Riwaka, Tasman District.

Alban Franklin enlisted for war service - on 10 October 1915 - at Nelson, South Island, New Zealand. He was 21 years of age.

On enlistment date Alban Franklin was posted as a Corporal with the Canterbury Mounted Rifles, 9th Reinforcements NZEF.

On 8 January 1916 Corporal  Franklin left New Zealand - with the 9th Reinforcements NZEF - aboard HMNZT 37 "Maunganui" - from Port of Wellington, North Island, New Zealand.

On 12 February 1916 Corporal Franklin disembarked, from his transport ship, at Suez, Egypt.

On 26 July 1916 Corporal Franklin left Alexandria, Egypt - aboard HMT "Ivernia" - for active war service - in France.

On 1 September 1916 Corporal Franklin disembarked, from his transport ship, at Southampton, England.

On 20 June 1917 Corporal Franklin left England for active war service - in France.

On 23 August 1917 Corporal Franklin transferred to - and was posted as a Gunner with - the New Zealand Field Artillery - in the field, France.

On 19 October 1918 Gunner Alban Franklin was killed in action - in the field, at Le Cateau, France.

Gunner Alban T. Franklin is buried at Berthencourt Communal Cemetery, Nord, France (Ref: D.16).

Gunner Alban T. Franklin is also remembered at his hometown in New Zealand - on the Riwaka District War Memorial (1914-1918) - at Riwaka, Tasman District, South Island, New Zealand.

For Gunner Alban T. Franklin's full military record refer to New Zealand Online Cenotaph : www.aucklandmuseum.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jenifer Everett