Olga Heather FRANKLIN [1895-1987]

Submitted by Alan Ho on Mon, 04/10/2023 - 22:59
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Names
Title
Miss
Given
Olga Heather
Family
Franklin
Sex
Female
Status
Deceased
Born
Date
Birthplace (town, state)
Gillingham Kent
Birthplace (country)
England
Died
Date
Died in (town, state)
Brighton East Sussex
Died in (country)
England
Miss Olga Franklin, the first woman to be honoured as King's Honorary Nursing Sister. (08-05-1987, South China Morning Post)
08-05-1987, South China Morning Post
Olga Heather FRANKLIN [1895-1987]
Olga Heather FRANKLIN [1895-1987]
  • The first person to be honoured as King's/Queen's Honorary Nurse (K.H.N./Q.H.N.) .
  • Deputy Principal - The Women's Royal Naval Service (1917-1919).
  • Head of the Naval Nursing Service - Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service  (1947-1950), her rank was equivalent to that of a Royal Navy Commodore.
  • During World War II, she served as the Matron of the Hong Kong Royal Naval Hospital, and later became an internee at Stanley Camp. (Report written by Matron Olga H. Franklin during the period of 1941-1945, documenting her experiences during the war)
    Olga Heather FRANKLIN [1895-1987]
    Olga Heather FRANKLIN [1895-1987]
    30 AUGUST 1945, HONG KONG
    Head of the Naval Nursing Service twitter - Sep 4, 2023

     

  • In captivity, she recorded her experiences in a tapestry on her nurse's apron and collected signatures from her friends (including Franklin Gimson and Hilda Selwyn-Clarke) before she left Hong Kong. This precious artifact is currently held at the QARNNS archive at the Institute of Naval Medicine.
    2023 QARNNS archive at the Institute of Naval Medicine
    Secret Embroidery from Stanley Internment Camp
    Items Miss Franklin made while she was a POW in Stanley Internment Camp
    Items Miss Franklin made while she was a POW in Stanley Internment Camp
  • Another precious artifact, the Prisoner of War handmade Christmas Card from her and two other nurses to all friends of POW Camp 'N' which is now housed at the Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences: 香港醫學博物館, donated by me.
    Miss Olga H. Franklin, Prisoner of War handmade Christmas Card to POW Camp 'N'
    Miss Olga H. Franklin, Prisoner of War handmade Christmas Card to POW Camp 'N'
    Miss Olga Franklin's apron
    Miss Olga Franklin's apron
  • She was awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1919, the Associate Royal Red Cross (ARRC) in 1942, the Royal Red Cross (RRC) in 1946, and the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1950.
  • She presented the Franklin Rose Bowl to the winner of the QARNNS Annual Tennis Tournament for the first time in 1949. Her trophy has since been used as a prize for the tournament and has become one of the important sporting events in the Royal Navy.
    Franklin Rose Bowl Tennis Trophy History
    Miss Olga Franklin - Franklin Rose Bowl Tennis Trophy History
    Miss Olga Franklin, the first woman to be honoured as King's Honorary Nursing Sister. (23-04-1987, The Times)
    23-04-1987, The Times
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Probate Calendar 1987

Olga Heather Franklin of 52 Dean Court Road Rottingdean Sussex died 20 April 1987

UK Death Index

Olga Heather Franklin born 20 September 1895 in Gillingham Kent [ From Women's Royal Naval Officers Records] died 20 April 1987 in Brighton East Sussex

London Gazette 5 June 1942

To be Associates of the Royal Red Cross

Miss Olga Heather Franklin M.B.E

St Margaret's Rottingdean
St Margaret's Rottingdean, by Alan Ho

The following information about Miss Franklin's burial has been provided by Mike Laslett, the Honorary Archivist of Rottingdean Heritage and a member of the PCC:

Miss Franklin's ashes were laid to rest in a beautifully manicured garden on the grounds of the church. It is a most peaceful and attractive walled garden adjoining the main churchyard.

Miss Franklin's former residence, known as Hillcroft, can be found at 57 Dean Court Road, a mere five-minute walk from the church. She spent time living there with her mother and sisters during the 1950s and 1960s.

Miss Franklin's father, Mr. Robert Francis Franklin, O.B.E., served as the Secretary to the Superintendent at H M Dockyard Devonport, which was also her childhood home. This early exposure to the naval industry likely influenced Miss Franklin's decision to pursue a career in the navy.