Franklyn Ellis was born September 15, 1923 in Normans Castle, Abaco, the second of two children of Annie Millicent Johnson, and Hilgrove Meyer Ellis.

After his parents finished their contract with the Ilinois Lumber Company they returned to Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos Islands, were he finished his early education.

With very few options to employment he joined the Government work force as a mechanic trainee.

In 1943 Franklyn joined the West Indies Regiment which was formed by the British Government to assist Britian and her territories for protection in the time of war. There were fifty eight men enlisted in the army , they were from North Caicos, South Caicos, Salt Cay, Blue Hills now Providencalis, Middle Caicos, and Grand Turk.

Franklyn was nickname "Booggie" , he had four close friends :- , Bert Malcolm, Winston Wilson called "Tymmie" and Winston Hawkins.

The Regiment was dissolved in 1946. Of the fifty eight army men now, that Franklyn Ellis has deceased now only one left behind is Mr. Bobby Fulford who now resides in Grant Turk and Miami, he is now eighty nine years years.

On December 17, 1944 Franklyn Married Winnifred Beatrice Williams, who proceeded him. This union produced four children.

Franklyn began his musical career at Salem Baptist Church Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos, were he develop the skill of playing the saw. He did not scrape the saw but he made musical notes with the saw while making up songs. He went on to play the Guitar, Piano and the Violin.

In 1947 Franklyn Ellis went to Jamaica to study, to become a licenced mechanic. After A year of study he returned to Grand Turk, and work for the Government.

In 1950 he joined the crew of a Dutch Vessel that travelled between Holland, the Caribbean and New York. He stayed in New York on this trip.

Franklyn enrolled in the New York School of music during this period. To earn a living he worked as a dishwasher.

He played in several night clubs with such greats as Count Basie, Brook Benton, and Sammy Davis Jr.

In 1957 Frankly Won an award for the Best Composer and Entertainer in the International Competition for the song "My Philosophy Of Life". With this performance he was afforded the opportunity to play music at Carnegie Hall, New York. His celebrity audience over the years included but not limited to Queen Elizabeth 11 and Prince Philip, The United States of America past Presidents John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Former Prime Minister of England Mc Millan, Canadian Prime Minister Diefenbaker and Chancellor Kohl of Germany.

In 1959 Franklyn returned to Nassau from New York and met Freddy Munnings a very prominent Bahamian entertainer. He began working at the "Cat-and-Fiddle" night club. Other night clubs include Silver Slippers, and Flowers; Hotels includes Nassau Beach, British Colonial were he had to enter from the back door thru the kitchen to the stage, and exit thru the back door. This was because discrimination that existed at that time.

Beyond the gifts and glamour of his radio and television performances Count Bernadino travelled the world as a Bahamian Ambassador cutting through racial boundaries of racial prejudices and discrimination .

He was a founding member of the Lutheran Church of Nassau, which had its first service at the May Fair Hotel in 1962. He was a faithful and devout memberof the Lutheran Church where he served as A Sunday School Teacher, Bible Class Leader, Elder and Choir Director.

Franklyn was a active member of the Kiwanis Club and performed in Schools, Hospitals and Old Folks and Children's Home.

He received the Cacique Award for a legendary song "Calipso Bacchanal" which was recorder in 1962.

In 2005 Franklyn was awarded the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CivIL Division).