John Franklin, known as Nigel, was born in Bodmin, Cornwall on 27 April 1937, the son of Eileen J Franklin (née Mitchell). He joined the Royal Navy as a Midshipman on 1 January 1956, was promoted to Acting Sub Lieutenant on 1 May 1957 and to Lieutenant on 16 March 1959. He joined submarines and was appointed to HMS CACHALOT on 1 September 1959, followed by HMS TIRELESS. He then joined HMS AURIGA as First Lieutenant on 1 November 1963.

Further submarine appointments followed to HMS AENEAS and to HMS RORQUAL. Nigel Franklin was promoted to Lieutenant Commander on 16 March 1967.

Franklin successfully completed his Commanding Officers Qualifying Course in 1967 and subsequently commanded HMS AENEAS. He then served in the Clyde Submarine Base, HMS NEPTUNE, before joining HMS VALIANT as First Lieutenant (Second-in-Command) in 1970.

Franklin was promoted to Commander on 30 June 1972 and appointed to the Strategic Missile submarine HMS RENOWN (Starboard) in Command. His last appointment in the Royal Navy was to HMS NEPTUNE.

Commander John Nigel Franklin of Merton, London SW19 is reported to have died (illness) on 3 June 1976.