256696 Pte. Sidney Charles Franklin British Army 12th (Bristol) Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment from:16 Paultrow Rd, Bristol (d.29th March 1918) Sidney Franklin signed up when he was under age. His elder brother William Henry Franklin had already signed up. Sidney's father wrote to the War Office as Sidney was under age and eventually he came back after serving for over a year.
When he was old enough he went straight back in the Army and had another number 302639 as his service number. Sadly, he died of his wounds on 29th of March 1918 aged 19. His brother William Henry also died on 20th of July 1918 and was killed in action aged 24 years.
Their parents were my grandfather's brother and sister-in-law. They lived in 16 Paultrow Road, off St. Johns Lane, Bedminster, Bristol. Sadly, their father was killed in a road accident in Bedminster after the war.
My grandfather told me his elder brother never got over the death of his two sons and it was felt he had deliberately walked out in front of a bus. Thomas H and Eva S Franklin lost two sons to the war. Both boys were in action around Arras at some time in their army life during the war.
I regularly visit Arras as I am friends with the deputy prefect and his wife and children. I regularly go to the cemetery in Doullens where Sidney Charles Franklin is buried and leave a poppy. It is a small area in the Doullen cemetery that is used for burying local people there too. I find it a rather bleak and sad place, but I will visit as often as I can as I know my grandfather felt very sad about his two nephews who died in the First World War.
Sidney's oldest brother, William Henry Franklin, was with the Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) during WW1 when he died. He had enlisted in Bristol & was formerly in the Somerset Light Infantry. He did his duty in both France and Flanders and is remembered at Tyne Cot Memorial. Additional Information: | Sidney Charles father, Thomas Henry Franklin, survived the sinking of HMT Royal Edward, 13/8/1915.Kathryn Atkin
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