William was a sawyer with the Royal Engineers based at Varennes, France. He was passing from the saw mill into the fitters’ shop and to do so he had to step over the saw’s drive shaft that was some 18 inches off the ground. According to an eye witnesses “Hearing shouts I turned around and saw Sapper Franklin being whirled round the shaft”. Another witness said “I ran across to the saw mill and saw Sapper Franklin lying by the side of the shafting. His puttees, part of his trousers, his jersey were wound tight round the shafting. He was unconscious.”

William was taken to the No.92 Field Ambulance but later died as a result of a fracture to the base of his skull.

Robin Marriott