Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Frank was the youngest child of George and Lavinia Parsons. He was brought up on the family farm near Curramulka on the Yorke Peninsula in South Australia. His mother died when he was only 8 years old, so his two older sisters, Floss and Vera, had the job of raising Frank.

Frank was dux of Minlaton Primary school in 1929 and played football, cricket and tennis. He also played the piano as a child.

As only the eldest son would inherit the family farm, the other children were expected to find other professions. In 1930, at age 14, Frank was sent to boarding school at Prince Alfred College.

When he left school, Frank joined the State Bank of SA and initially worked at Minlaton, then at Kimba on the Eyre Peninsula. He continued to play football, winning the best and fairest trophy for Minlaton in 1935.

Frank enlisted in the RAAF in June 1941. He trained at Victor Harbor initially, then in Geraldton, W.A. in 1942. His first appointment was in March 1942 as a Pilot Officer. In Sept 1942 he became a Flying Officer and he was appointed a Flight Lieutenant in March 1944.

In March 1942 he became engaged to Elizabeth 'Betty' Maxwell, and they married in January the following year at Malvern Methodist Church. Frank wore his Air Force uniform and Betty wore a long wedding dress and train. Frank only had a few days leave.

Frank was stationed at Laverton, Coffs Harbour soon after they were married and Betty stayed there for a while as well. As a pilot, Frank flew reconnaissance flights from Laverton but was then sent to Port Moresby, New Guinea. Betty returned to Adelaide.

Frank was a member of No. 71 Squadron and flew DH.82 Tiger Moth biplanes, DH. 94 Moth Minor and Avro Anson bomber aircraft. He was hospitalized a number of times, then was discharged as medically unfit in December 1944. He never talked about his time in the RAAF, nor wore his medals. There are some photographs of his time in New Guinea.

Frank came back from New Guinea with severe skin eczema and was in hospital at Daws Road for some time. Their eldest daughter Helen was born at this time, and Frank made two felt toys for Helen while he was in hospital.

Frank went back to his job in the State Bank and they bought a house at 102 Galway Ave, Broadview where they lived for 12 years. The house was a small bungalow. Washing was done in a gas copper with a hand wringer between two cement troughs. There was an icebox on the back porch with ice blocks delivered by horse and dray. Housework filled Betty’s day. Son Chris and daughter Julie were born during this time.

Frank had a small red sports car with a fold back roof, but Helen remembers the excitement when he brought home a new car, one of the first model Holden’s. It was ‘midnight blue’.

Frank loved gardening and Helen spent time at the weekends with him in the garden. They had fruit trees, a vegetable garden and he loved to grow gladioli and jonquils and Helen helped him plant the bulbs. There was a big woodheap where Frank chopped wood for the fire in the lounge room.

Frank and Betty bought a block of land at Templewood Ave, Manningham, not far from Broadview and built a new house when Helen was 12 years old. The house was quite large and modern compared to the Galway Ave house and built of besser blocks, but Betty was never happy there. Only 6 months after moving Frank was made Bank Manager at Loxton.

The family all moved to Loxton, except for Helen, who stayed in Adelaide to continue attending Wilderness school.

Frank enjoyed being a Bank Manager in a country town, as it was an important job. He played golf, joined Rotary and Betty became involved in school committees, Red Cross and the local Church. They later moved to Waikerie and Chris was sent to board at Prince Alfred College.

Frank and Betty returned to Adelaide to live in 1967 when Frank was made second in charge at State Bank Head Office. They bought a house at 35 Osborn Tce, Plympton and lived there for the rest of their lives.

Frank played golf at the Glenelg Golf Course and Betty volunteered for Meals on Wheels and later at the Save the Children Fund shop in the city. When Frank retired they had several overseas trips. Betty remembered every little detail of her English and European tours, however Helen thinks they didn’t meant so much to Frank. He was content to play golf, read and garden. Frank did not believe in too many modern comforts, as he thought they were a waste of money. He was very careful with money, and although he paid private school fees for the three children he was not prepared to pay university fees for Helen, as he believed that was only for males.

Helen’s fondest memories of her father are of family picnics by a creek at Golden Grove and at Lake Bonney at Barmera or by the River Murray. Helen and Robert hosted a family birthday party for Frank for his 70th birthday. He was such a quiet, retiring man that he did not want any fuss, but he appeared to enjoy the occasion. He seemed to enjoy his grand-children, but it was hard to tell.

Frank became ill and died quickly from leukemia in 1986 at age 70. Betty lived an independent and quiet life until she died in 2000 at age 82. Her ashes are with Frank’s in a rose bed at Centennial Park Cemetery. They are survived by their three children, four grand-children and great-grand-children.