Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Theodore Franklin, born on the 7th February 1908 in his mother’s hometown of Mt Gambier, was the oldest son of Lucian Franklin (Tom) and Marian Hayward. His siblings included Rowlan Franklin (Toby) and Anthony Franklin (Tony). The Hayward family was particularly proud of their heritage, which dated back to early settlement days in Tasmania. Theodore’s paternal Grandfather the Rev. Roland Hayward was the last prison chaplain at Port Arthur before becoming rector of East Adelaide.
The middle name ‘Franklin’ was in honour of their great grandmother, a niece of Sir John Franklin, who married Captain Price. Unfortunately, Price was later murdered by convicts at Pentridge. Following an unsuccessful early ‘20’s expedition in the Arctic Lady Franklin devoted the whole of her fortune to discover the mystery of the lost expedition which included her husband. (In 1930, after 83 years, the camps were finally found. Precious letters written between Lady Franklin and her niece survived, telling of their constant waiting for news as the years passed.)
Theodore’s father, Private L.F. Hayward, Number 320 served in the Boer War, joining a New South Wales contingent. He had a narrow escape with four comrades, in taking a Cape cart across country, having been cut off from their own regiment and from the column, to which they were sent. They were fired at some Kaffir kralls and kopjes, but despite a lack of food, managed to rejoin their regiments, where they had been given up for lost. Private Hayward was described as a nephew of Colonel Price. In1902 Tom was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for ‘conspicuous gallantry displayed in a bayonet charge on the heights of the Vet River, in which a Maxim gun was captured from the enemy.’
Theodore (known as ‘Ted’) lived in Broken Hill where his father was for many years employed as Superintendent at the Sintering Works. During the first World War years, communities were actively involved in fundraising for the local Red Cross at Junior Patriotic Bazaar events. Ted was trusted with selling ice-cream while Toby and two friends were in charge of cool drinks.
The family later moved to the coastal town of Port Victoria where they immediately became involved in local activities. Tom became a JP and President of the School Committee whilst the brothers relished life by the sea. During WWI the New Year’s day celebrations continued to be held with fuds raised being donated to the soldiers. Ten-year-old Ted won the boy’s swimming race in 1919 and a decade later won the 100 yard sprint. Younger brother, Tony also developed into a talented swimmer.
The family moved to Adelaide in March ‘26 with the local community organising a farewell for them. Ted, Toby and Tony all attended St Peter’s College, their father’s alma mater.
Post school, Ted became a bank Clerk with the Union Bank but continued to attend events held by St Peter’s Old Collegians, including the football Club dance in ’36. Two years later he married Kathleen Mary Hyde Murray from Kapunda, with the couple announcing the news in the January ’38 edition of the Advertiser; ‘Wedding Date At All Souls. St. Peters, on Saturday. January 29. the marriage will take place of Kathleen, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D. C. Murray, of Kapunda. to Theodore Franklin, eldest son of Mr and Mrs. L. F. Hayward. of Port Victoria. A reception will be held afterwards at the Wentworth.’ Ted and Kathleen had two children, Barbara and James.
Ted served for several years in both the Citizens’ Force and for 18 months in the 10th Battalion before, Aged 32 he and his younger brother Rowland (‘Toby’) enlisted together on the 5th July ’40 with Ted being allocated the number SX7924 and Toby as SX7923. Initially, Ted was placed in the 2/3rd Machine Gun Battalion, but after a bout of illness eventually joined the 2/48th Battalion in October.
Following pre-embarkation leave, both brothers embarked on the Stratheden on the 7th November, with Ted enduring a bout of illness on the voyage over, resulting in a stay in the ship’s hospital. They arrived in the Middle East on the 17th December ’40. After attending a Bren gun course, he was rapidly promoted to the role of Sergeant. Further courses followed, including an unarmed combat and a course on dealing with gas.
By this stage, their youngest brother, Tony, who was with the Orient Company in Sydney, passed for the R.A.A.F., but developed serious foot trouble, and was laid up in the Blue Mountains. (His injury was a legacy of the days when he played football for St. Peter's Old Collegians.) Ted’s mother shared a letter from him, in which he wrote that reports had been circulated in Palestine that the Comforts Fund and its administration were being severely criticised in Australia. 'These are absolute lies and you can take it from me that the fund is doing great work for the troops. It would be a bad day for anyone the lads caught trying to undermine its efforts.'
By January ’43 Ted had developed a cyst on his knee, but fortunately was able to his battalion prior to sailing to Australia via Melbourne in February ’43 for well-earned leave. Ted then travelled to Queensland, becoming an instructor in May as the battalion prepared for the tropical conditions they would experience in New Guinea.
By November he left Townsville for Port Moresby. Unfortunately, the tropical conditions contributed to him developing an extremely high temperature (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin) followed by malaria, a condition which continued to reoccur, despite his return to Australia. By May ’44 both the illness and conditions of war contributed to his poor medical condition. Time in the beachside Kapara Convalescent Home gave a brief but welcome respite. A change to the District Accounts Office in July gave Theo some respite for his ongoing malaria but it continued to flare throughout the remainder of ’44, followed by an upper respiratory tract infection. This finally resulting in Theo’s discharge on the 6th September ’45.
As a civilian, Ted worked on his golfing skills, receiving the ‘Best Off Stick’ award at the First Digger’s Golf Cup held June ’54 at Clare.
Ted lived to be 72 and died on the 13th August 1980 at Angaston. He now rests in the St Mathews’ Anglican Cemetery at Hamilton. Kathleen lived to be 93 and died in 2003 and now rests with him.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.