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Name: FRANKLIN, William Hodgson CMG, CBE, DSO (Col.)
Photo Source: Kenya Observer 28 April 1923
Birth Date: 1871 Everton, Lancashire, bapt. 7 July
Death Date: 21 Nov 1941 Nairobi
First Date: 1919
Last Date: 1941
Profession: Shipping and Chandlery. After WW1 HM Trade Commissioner in EA from 1919. Retired to Limuru - tea farm.
Area: Nairobi 1919-27, Limuru 1927-42, 'Satiuni' Farm - tea, violets, carnations
Married: In St John's, Newfoundland 4 Jan 1894 Sarah Sally Knowling b. 4.12.1870 St John's, d. Limuru 22 Aug 1941 (dau of Hon. George Knowling)
Children: Marjorie (m. Sir William Kenneth Horne) (17 Feb 1895 St John's-1973); George Knowling (23 Oct 1904 St John's-1988); Jeanne Upham (3 Mar 1897 St John's-1981); Mona; Wilhelmina (11 July 1910-1995)
Book Reference: EAWL, KFA, Debrett, KAD, Red 25, Red 31, Legion, Red 22, DSO, Barnes, Gazette
War Service: Led first troops from Newfoundland, Newfoundland Regt. then R. Warwickshire Regt. in WW1
School: Liverpool Institute
General Information:
Settled in St. John's Newfoundland, 1891; engaged in export and import business; as Captain commanded and trained 1st Newfoundland Contingent, 1914; attached 1st Suffolk Regt. Nov. 1914; served in France; Major 1915; Lt. Col. and commanded 6th Royal Warwickshire Regt. 1916; Colonel 1919 (severely wounded; despetches twice, DSO, CBE); a Member of Imperial Reconstruction Committee 1919 and E. African Inter-colonial Custom Conference, July 1921 (Chairman Nov. 1921, Dec 1923 and March 1925 Conferences); Commissioner in London for HM Eastern African Dependencies (Trade and Information) Office 1925; Colonial Reserve of Officers (Newfoundland) (Who's Who - 1933) Source: Janet Beasley
Debrett - formerly a merchant in Newfoundland; is H.M. Trade Commr. in E. Africa, and Col. Reserve of Officers (Newfoundland); European War 1914-19, training Roy. Newfoundland Regt., and sometime Comdg. Batns. Roy. Warwickshire Regt. (severely wounded, despatches, DSO, CBE); a Member of Imperial Reconstruction Committee 1919, and of E. African Intercolonial Custom Conference July 1921 (Chm. Nov 1921, Dec 1923 and March 1925 Conferences)
DSO - Colonel, Newfoundland Contingent. His DSO was awarded for gallantry near Serre on 1/7/16, when he was severely wounded;
London Gazette 20/10/16 - For conspicuous gallantry in action. He led his men in the attack with great dash, and directed a bombing party after being severely wounded. Despatches twice.
Limuru cemetery - Will Hodgson Franklin, died 21/11/1941 and also of Sarah his wife, died 22/8/1941
Gazette 24/12/1919 - Arrived on 1st Appointment - His Majesty's Trade Commissioner - 8/12/1919
KFA - Delegate to the Maize Conference of 1923 [photo]. Janet Beazley's grandfather.
Gazette - 4/5/1921 - Presentation of Honours by Governor - Col W H Franklin - CBE
Gazette 6 Dec 1938 Kiambu Voters List has Hodson
Gazette 7 Oct 1941 probate for wife
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