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Note: He was apprenticed to an optician when he left school but joined the RAF (in 1937) before completing all of the qualifying exams. He passed through Cranwell in 1938 as acting Pilot Officer and was graded as a Pilot Officer in 1939. On 3rd Sept. 1940 the London Gazette announced that the undermentioned Pilot Officers are promoted to the rank of Flying Officer: Robert Harcourt Franklin (41009).
I know his service career in detail because I pulled it from RAF records (which I'm entitled to do as next of kin). I guess I know as much about him as I'm ever going to. Not inclined to dig further.
8 Squadron RAF was posted to Aden in Arabia. I have discovered an online account of his squadron on Form 540, of the official Squadron Dairy for the days of 2 and 3 May 1944. They deal with the attack and sinking of U-852 in the Gulf of Aden. Bob was there in 1942 and sent letters home to his cousin about the heat and the boredom. More can be found online
http://www.8squadron.co.uk/history_ethiopian_campaign.php
Franklin, ROBERT HARCOURT Initials: R H Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Squadron Leader Regiment: Royal Air Force Unit Text: 115 Sqdn. Age: 28 Date of Death: 16/10/1944 Service No: 41009 Additional information: Son of Harcourt and M. E. Franklin; husband of Joyce Franklin, of Felpham, Sussex. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 200. Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL
He was flying an Avro Lancaster.
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