341

G.R. FRANKLIN.
2. (centre aligned)
productive flying with 287 squadron and 90 hours with 116 Squadron. On the 14th May, 1943, he was posted to No.9 (Observer) Advanced Flying Unit, Llandwrog, Wales. On the 15th June he proceeded to No. 11 Operational Training Unit at Westcott, Buckinghamshire, and the nearby satellite airfield of Oakley, where he crewed up and completed his training as wireless operator air gunner of Wellington bomber aircraft. During October and November, 1943, he converted to Stirling bomber aircraft at No. 1657 Conversion Unit, Stradishall, Suffolk, and his training was continued at No. 1651 Conversion Unit, Wratting Common during December. Early in January, 1944, he converted to Lancaster bomber aircraft at No. 3 Lancaster Finishing School, Feltwell, Norfolk, and on the 10th January, 1944 was posted to No. 15 Squadron at Mildenhall, Suffolk. With this squadron he took part in 2 operational flights, the targets being Stuttgart and Augsburg, both in Germany. On return from the raid on Augsburg on the 26th February the aircraft crashed at Lakenheath and W/O Franklin was injured at admitted to the Ely Hospital.

W/O Franklin was a member of the crew of a Lancaster bomber aircraft which crashed at Fifty Farm, near River Lark, West Row, Suffolk, on the 21st June, 1944, all the crew, including W/O Franklin losing their lives. He was buried in the Hendon Park Cemetery, Hendon Park, London.

Find a Grave link with a photo of W/O Franklin: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/32667307/george_rubin-franklin

5/15/844 AS2
468 hrs. as W/Opr A/G.

Mrs. G.K. Franklin (W) (right aligned)
46 Arden Rd., (right aligned)
Finchley, LONDON. (right aligned & city underlined)