Veteran ‘had a great time’ through military career, centennial party
Sergeant (retired) Thomas (Tom) Archibald Franklin celebrated his 100th birthday July 23 at the Wilmot Community Centre, surrounded by friends and family.
“I met a lot of people today,” said the happy veteran: in addition to his family, who flew from Winnipeg to celebrate this great milestone, Franklin received many visitors, including Annapolis MLA Carman Kerr, a representative of West Nova MP Chris D’Entremont’s office, the local Legion and a special CTV interview; all of whom enjoyed hearing about Franklin’s century of experiences, which more recently includes routine mobility scooter trips to the local Timmies drive-thru from his home at the Soldier’s Memorial Hospital Veteran’s Unit, where he loves to hang out in the parking lot and chat with the other customers.
Franklin joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in the spring of 1943: the military was his first paying job, and his first time ever leaving home – even for a single night. Franklin served in the Regular Force until the end of the Second World War, and transferred to the Class E Reserves November 13, 1945. When he rejoined the Regular Force as an instrument technician in 1953, Franklin was sent to Ontario for a couple of years until being posted to Greenwood in 1955 to work on the Neptune and Argus aircraft, remaining at Greenwood until 1962. Franklin spent the next 12 years travelling the world with the RCAF, from Jamaica to Holland, with 11 stops in Bermuda, but his favorite place to visit was Scotland, with its old battlegrounds. During his career, Franklin worked on and flew with various aircraft, including the Buffalo, Harvard, Expeditor, Hercules, Neptune and the “pretty noisy” Argus and, last year, at age 99, had the opportunity to take a familiarization flight on one of 14 Wing’s CP140 Aurora aircraft – which he says has been his favorite flight yet.
Franklin retired from the RCAF July 22, 1974, when he reached the compulsory retirement age – 50 at the time, but the proud veteran says he would have worked another 10 years if it had been possible.
“I had a great time; I loved the military,” said Franklin, reminiscing about his time in the forces. Having been born in Digby, and always keeping the Annapolis Valley close to heart, Franklin says, “it has been a pleasure to make Soldier’s Memorial Hospital my home,” with the always-friendly and caring staff, the friendships he has cultivated both in the Veterans’ Unit and the local community and, best of all, the close proximity to his loving daughter, Diane, by his side for the big celebration.
