Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

My father was Jack Franklin and I grew up with him as my main caregiver from the age of 6. Dad was one of 8 children, born and raised in Surry Hills, Sydney. He grew up in a rough neighbourhood and learnt how to fend for himself at a young age, becoming a well respected boxer. When he returned from Korea, he brought a boxing trophy home, one that had been made on site.

Dad loved his football, cricket, the races and listening to ABBA. His other favourite music was Country and Western, including Slim Dusty and Kenny Rogers. He never missed an opportunity to take us to a footy game or a race meet. I always enjoyed being with him at these events. Spending time with dad often meant just sitting and watching sport with him on telly. 

Dad loved road trips, something that I have inherited from him. As children (4 in all), we would go on long road trips, across Australia into the desert and back. These trips are something I still have good memories of.  My mum would also recall the trips they would make together after the war, before settling down with children. 

Mum and dad met in Melbourne during the Korean War and remained there afterwards. My eldest brother was born in Melbourne in 1960, before they moved interstate to NSW, where the rest of us were born. 

Dad made sure we all knew our grandparents who were living in Petersham in Sydney. We also spent lots of time with cousins growing up, so there was no shortage of christmas holiday fun.

It is really on my dad's side of the family, that I now have generational heritage in Australia, as far back as my great, great, great grandparents. 

Like all parents and their children, I probably appreciate him more now than as a child. Being a single dad, he pretty much ran our household like an army camp. We all had a job to do, and heaven help you if it wasn't done. We all survived and were none the worse off for the discipline.