340

AJM/NF (right aligned)
404681 : Warrant Officer George Rubin FRANKLIN.
WIFE : Mrs. G.K. Franklin of England. (1 child)
PARENTS : Mr & Mrs. G.D. Franklin of New Plymouth.

George Franklin was born at Masterton on the 15th October, 1919. After gaining the Proficiency Certificate at the Whatman School, Masterton, he was employed in farming by Mr. G. Gibson of Rahotu, New Plymouth, and was still employed there at the time of making application for enlistment in aircrew on the 29th December, 1939.

Warrant Officer Franklin was enlisted at the Initial Training Wing, Levin, on the 23rd November 1940 and embarked for Canada by the "Empress of Russia" on the 6th January, 1941, under the Empire Air Training Scheme.

Shortly after arrival in Canada, W/O Franklin was posted on the 23rd January, 1941 to No. 1 Wireless School, Montreal, Quebec, and thence on the 23rd June to No. 4 Bombing and Gunnery School, Fingal, Ontario, where, on the 21st July he was awarded the wireless operator air gunner's badge and promoted to Sergeant. He was further promoted to Flight Sergeant on the 1st April, 1942, and to Warrant Officer on the 1st April, 1943. Meanwhile, on the 26th July, 1941, he proceeded to No. 1 "M" Depot, Debert, Nova Scotia, for embarkation to the United Kingdom.

W/O Franklin arrived at No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth on the 31st August, and on the 16th September proceeded to No. 1 Signals School, Cranwell, Lincolnshire where he trained on Proctor aircraft. On the 16th December he was posted to No. 287 Squadron, first at Croydon, London and later at Merston, Sussex, Ford, Sussex, and Heston, Middlesex, where he trained on Lysander, Master and Defiant aircraft. On the 10th October, 1942, he was posted to No. 116 Squadron at Chilbolton, Hampshire, and later at Middle Wallop, Hampshire, Both 287 and 116 Squadrons were Army Co-operation Squadrons and W/O Franklin completed 350 hours