Name
Wilfred Noel Franklin
15 Nov 1886
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
26/09/1914
28
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
8115
South Wales Borderers
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star (with Clasp & Roses), British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LA FERTE-SOUS-JOUARRE MEMORIAL
Panel 15.
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Harpenden Town Memorial, Church of St Nicholas Memorial, Harpenden, Not on the Hitchin memorials
Pre War
Wilfred Noel was born on 15 Nov 1886 in Hitchin. He was the third son of William Franklin, Architect & Surveyor, and Alice (nee Carr). On the 1891 Census the family were living in Chipping Barnet, Herts.
By 1901 the family were now living at Myrtle Cottage, West Common, Harpenden and Wilfred was an apprentice plumber. On 2 Jun 1903 Wilfred enlisted in 1st Battalion South Wales Borderers as Private 8115. By 1911 having served his engagement Wilfred was living with his widowed father and family at Willougby Road, Harpenden giving his occupation as Engineer.
Wartime Service
At the outbreak of war Wilfred, being on reserve, would have been recalled to duty. The South Wales Borderers landed at Le Havre on 13 Aug 1914 and took part in the retreat from Mons, the battle of the Marne and also the battle of the Aisne.
Wilfred’s battalion were under heavy attack from the Germans on 26 Sep 1914 in their positions opposite the Chemin des Dames. Wilfred was among the 86 men killed that day.
His remains were not recovered and he is remembered on the La Fertr-sous-Jouarre Memorial . He was the first Harpenden casualty.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £5 and arrears of £4 9s 4d was paid to his father.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild, Mary Skinner, Harpenden & District Local History
Society (www.harpenden-history.org.uk)
