I have read a post on Twitter saying that Old David (David Franklin) has died.
If this is true, it is a sad day indeed.
Old David was a much loved member of this and previous forums celebrating British wrestling. As well as being a knowledgeable historian of the 1955 - 1988 era he also continued to attend shows more recently. I believe he was a good friend of Klondyke Kate and played an important role in Wrestling Heritage. Those of us who met David at the Kent reunions remember him as a charming person, full of good humour and a friend to all.
Rest in Peace David
I'm very sorry to hear the news and wish I had known David.
A message from Johnny Kidd.
Good afternoon. Just to let you know that "Old David " David Franklin's funeral service will be Wednesday 15th July at Haycombe cemetery and crematorium Bath at 10.45am. It's a private family affair. But myself, Johnny Kidd, and Ian Dowland have been invited by the family and we will both attend. Johnny Kidd
I also remember his posts from days gone by. My condolences to his friends and family.
I always enjoyed Davids posts in the forum. RIP David.
I don't know anything about him, but the tributes pouring in from my fellow members says it all.
RIP David.
Sorry to hear this sad news. RIP.
Such terribly sad news.R.I.P. David.
Sad news indeed.
R.I.P. David
Very Sad , David was a fantastic member when I joined and one who has been missing this last year or two.
RIP David
Very sad news. David kept in contact with me via the website. Always so enthusiastic about wrestling, and a real fan. A gentleman, who will be sorely missed. RIP David.
So sorry to hear this sad news. David (as has already been said above), was on the old 1StopWrestling forum, which was the starting place for a lot of us to get to know each other (online) 15 years ago.
Rest in Peace David.
so sad RIP
What a shocking time we are having. I first met David about 15 years ago somewhere in Wiltshire. What a lively mind, sharp and resourceful, full of diverse interests.
When we started this site in 2007, Old David gave us great encouragement with his positive enthusiasm. He contributed in so many ways to help Wrestlng Heritage take off.
One memory of him that always sticks with me was his indignance in an office situation when he was on the Wrestling Heritage forum and a boss came by to admonish him. He explained that Wrestling was more important than the tiresome work he was being employed to do. I think he was working part-time in semi-retirement and frankly didn't give a damn.
If you didn't know Old David, it doesn't matter. No words needed. That naughty impish grin in the photo personifies the wicked wit he applied to spice up every interaction.
Top top man.
Sad sad loss.
PS in case anyone is wondering why he was called Old David, it was because we also had very active on the forum David Mantell.
Hearing news like this even when not unexpected is none the less shocking. David was one of those fans of the old days who had managed to retain his love of wrestling until the time of his illness. I first got to know David on the 1Stop Forum about fifteen years ago. Meeting him in Kent his enthusiasm was evident. A lovely man who will be missed by many. So sad to hear this news. My thoughts to his family and close friends.
Unfortunately this is true. His family wrote on Facebook: "A life so beautifully lived deserves to be remembered and it is with a heavy heart that today we have to announce the passing of David Franklin. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend who after a 2 year battle with cancer was cruelly taken from us too soon. This page will soon be memorialised so if you could take the time to post a memory about David, our family would much appreciate reading them. Gone but not forgotten." To copy across my reply: "So sorry to hear this. I always enjoyed meeting up with David at shows and loved his enthusiasm and knowledge as one of the few people who was a regular at shows right back to the 60s, but still enjoyed, supported and talked up the scene today, and was quick to point out that there was good and bad in every era. He also had the humility and perspective to acknowledge that wrestlers and matches that weren't to his personal taste might still be right for the audience at a particular show and didn't hold that against people.
"I particularly remember his realisation that he must be the only person in the country who has seen both George Gordienko and Grado live, along with him surely being the only person whose first response to seeing Session Moth Martina was that she reminded him of Billy Torontos.
"I hope Mickey knows how much David appreciated her putting up with him disappearing seemingly every weekend when wrestling was going through busy spells. I hope this doesn't seem too weird a thing to say, but I'd see David posting about going to shows, country walks (and country pubs), and his D&D sessions and think to myself that if that was my life at his age, I'd be pretty happy!"