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402991 : Flying Officer Kenneth Gordon FRANKLIN.
PARENTS : Mr. & Mrs. J. Franklin of Napier.

Kenneth Franklin was born on the 30th September, 1922, at Hastings and received his education at Napier Central and Intermediate schools. The sports in which he was actively interested included football and swimming. At the time of his making application - on the 29th December, 1939 - he was employed as as shepherd by Mr. O.G. Birrell of Ardkeen, Frazertown, Wairoa.

Flying Officer Franklin was enlisted on the 31st August, 1940 at Levin, and, on the satisfactory completion of his initial training he embarked on the 8th October, 1940 on board the "Aorangi" for Canada.

Shortly after arrival in Canada F/O Franklin was posted on the 26th October to No. 2 Wireless School, Calgary, Alberta, and thence on the 16th March 1941 to No. 2 Bombing and Gunnery School, Mossbank, Saskatchewan, where on the 17th April, 1941 he was awarded the air gunner's badge and promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Later he was promoted on the 1st May, 1942, to Flight Sergeant and further promoted on the 1st May, 1943 to Warrant Officer. He was commissioned in the rank of Pilot Officer on the 6th May, 1943, and further promoted to Flying Officer on the 6th November, 1943. Prior to his embarkation for the United Kingdom he was posted on the 22nd April, 1941, to No. 1 "M" Depot, Debert, Nova Scotia.

Arriving on the 17th July, 1941, at No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth, F/O Franklin proceeded on the 28th July, to No. 1 Signals School, Cranwell, Lincolnshire and thence, on the 21st October to No. 27 Operational Training Unit, Lichfield, Staffordshire where he trained as a wireless operator air gunner and bomb aimer on Wellington aircraft. He was remustered to the