Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The British War Medal 1914-20 awarded to Lieutenant W. Franklin, Royal Flying Corps, late Dorset Regiment, believed to be the 46th victim of the “Red Baron”

British War Medal 1914-20 (Lieut. W. Franklin, R.F.C.), very fine £250-300

Waldemar Franklin, an Observer in No. 11 Squadron, was severely wounded on 22 April 1917, when his F.E. 2b, piloted by Lieutenant W. F. Fletcher, and engaged on a photographic reconnaissance patrol, was jumped and badly shot up by an aircraft of Jasta II - widely believed to have been piloted by Manfred von Richthofen. Bloody April, by Alan Morris, takes up the story:

‘Richthofen’s turn arrived at 5.10 p.m. German time, near Lagnicourt, when the Staffel pursued several photographic F.E. 2bs and he fastened on to a straggler. After an incredible expenditure of 500 rounds the two-seater, No. 7020, began to smoke. Return fire flagged because Lieutenant W. Franklin had taken a bullet in the leg, but the Master could not prevent the pilot, Lieutenant W. F. Fletcher, from reaching his own lines, although there he turned over and was badly hurt by the crushing Beardmore.’

Other published sources state that another aircraft of 11 Squadron, piloted by 2nd Lieutenant J. J. Paine, may have been the victim.