Arthur William Frame

My uncle, Arthur William Frame, was the fourth son born to Edward John Frame and Catherine Falvey.   Arthur was born 2 Nov 1922 in Fifth Street, Weston NSW where the family were living at the time. He was baptised at St Francis Xavier Church Abermain on 19 Nov 1922 by Father Cullen. His sponsor was Leah Wilks. 

Eventually Arthur’s family moved into their new home at 21 Eighth Street Weston built by Arthur’s uncle, Leslie Holmes, who was a Master Builder. This house was to become the Frame family home until all of Arthur’s siblings married and his father Edward passed away. 

Arthur revealed, when we were putting together some family stories year ago, that according to his older brother Andrew (Mick), he was the worst child in the family, but suggested that as Mick was the baby sitter, he was probably biased! Arthur was a typical young Aussie larrikin who considered himself very fortunate to have been born into a stable and happy family. There was not a lot of money available but love and support from parents and siblings was abundant. 

Arthur began his schooling at Weston Public School, which was close to his home. He remained there until after completing Fourth Class. He said, ‘I had two claims to fame there, the first was a boot in the backside from teacher Mr Johnson in School Assembly, which was totally undeserved and seen by Dulcie who told Dad! A trip to the headmaster by Dad and I followed, for an interview with Mr Johnson. Mr Johnson apologised, and after that, he and I became better friends.’ 

The other memorable occasion was at a singing lesson. When the teacher, Miss Wattis, came into the classroom, the first words she uttered were, ‘Frame and Hunter, go down and do the garden!’ Arthur said, ‘I am not sure that she was a good judge of voices!’

At the beginning of Fifth Class, Arthur moved to the Catholic School at Abermain. To attend, he and his group had to walk through the bush, venture through what was known as the ‘Bull Paddock’ and cross a couple of creeks. In flood time, crossing the creeks was impossible, so they had to walk the long way around via the main road. Arthur was the only boy in the party and had to escort a number of girls including his sister Dulcie, cousins and friends. From that point onwards, Arthur claimed he always seemed to get on well with the opposite sex!

This newfound Frame charm didn’t work with one of his teachers, though! Arthur decided to wag school one day but unfortunately was found out. For this adventure, he copped six of the best from the nun, whom he described as being, ‘six foot something tall and a cane as long!’ Arthur said he was also punished by his father so he prudently decided against wagging school again! 

At the Catholic School Arthur did actually find a singing voice, resulting in him singing solos, including Mother Macree, at school concerts. However, as his singing career didn’t last long, he assumed Miss Wattis’s original evaluation of his voice might have been correct. Arthur took an active part in all school activities and became the School Captain for his last year at Abermain. From there, he went on to attend the Marist Brothers High School at Maitland for a year and a half. Arthur was not impressed with his new school and was pleased to leave at 14 years of age to join the workforce.

The family eventually lived in what was known as the Homestead area of Weston, close to where James Weston built his homestead and farmed at the time the Weston area was first settled. There were no sealed roads, only bush tracks formed the streets. It was a close-knit community and the boys and girls played together like the proverbial ‘one big happy family’.

Arthur became fond of a girl his own age who lived near his home. They started to spend a lot of time together playing the pianola at her house or going for long walks through the bushland - not a problem in those days! He also started to play tennis at Jones’ tennis court and became secretary of Jones’ Tennis Club, a position he held until the Army called him. Arthur’s girlfriend and her family eventually moved to Sydney to live and the last time he saw her was when he was on final leave and they spent a day together. Arthur said he soon recovered from his heartache as there were still a few lovely girls playing tennis!

After completing his education, Arthur’s first job was with Conway’s Cash Stores in Maitland where he learned all aspects of the grocery and delicatessen trade. He was able to bone and slice sides of bacon, cut fresh ham off the bone, slice all kinds of smallgoods and handle the carrying and weighing of groceries. Almost everything had to be hand weighed and packed.

When Conways closed down, Arthur began working for Jos. Pryor, a well-known Maitland grocer, and remained there until called up for National Service. At that time, Arthur was seeing two girls, one from Weston who worked in Maitland and played tennis, and another from Abermain who turned out to be his favourite. 

Arthur enlisted with the A.M.F. on 14 Oct 1941. He was in camp at Rutherford, Greta, Tomaree, (where he caught mumps and consequently ended up in hospital at Greta Camp), and also Fingal Bay. There were ten recruits to defend Fingal Bay and Arthur figured they must really have frightened the Japanese away! Arthur and his mates were hauled out of one of the training camps at midnight one night and driven to Gan Gan at Port Stephens where they were instructed to build the Gan Gan Training Camp. Hygiene was rather a problem as they had to pump water out of the swamp and shower from a bucket with holes punched in it. The smell of the water was so putrid, that Arthur said they felt much dirtier after they showered!

After completing Basic Training, Arthur joined the A.I.F. on 7 Oct 1942. He embarked on the Duntroon for active service in a war zone in New Guinea. Arthur’s family sent him a birthday cake for his 20th birthday, but by the time it caught up with him, it was mouldy. He landed in Port Moresby, New Guinea on 19 Nov 1942 in the midst of an air raid and joined the 2/1 Infantry Battalion in the Owen Stanley Ranges.

When he landed in New Guinea and before travelling inland, Arthur was instructed to present to the dentist. He sat all day waiting to be attended to, but was completely ignored. When his patience finally wore out, he left. Once this misdemeanour was discovered, Arthur was sent back to the dentist who extracted all of his top teeth as punishment. Arthur said just as well he was fighting on our side! Bathing was also very uncomfortable. The men had to bathe in the sea which was riddled with sea lice, and soap of course, was ineffective in the salt water.

In all, Arthur spent nine weeks in New Guinea, including time on the infamous Kokoda track, before embarking on the Taroona for Cairns, Queensland, on 22 Jan 1943. His departure was also during an air raid. As Arthur said, ‘the Japanese were consistent!’ 

After arriving in Cairns, Arthur’s group camped in the Atherton Tablelands for various training exercises. They remained there for some months until informed that the 6th Division was going home on 36 days leave. Everyone but Arthur cheered at the news; he only had five pounds ($10) and knew that wasn’t going to take him very far!  Desperate measures were called for and Arthur’s ingenuity came to the fore. He revealed his method of overcoming his lack of finances: ‘I joined a two-up game and turned the fiver into about forty pounds! After arriving home, I went to a local two-up game and came away three hundred or so pounds richer!’ 

Rather than risk his winnings, Arthur then called it quits. There was no more gambling on that particular leave! 

Arthur must have really enjoyed the trip back home because he and some local mates from the same unit decided to stay an extra ten days. Punishment for their extended holiday was confinement to barracks once they returned to their unit, but that didn’t bother the boys. As he said, there was nowhere entertaining for them to visit near their isolated camp. On 22 Nov1944, Arthur was transferred to Holding Strength and was then honourably discharged on 18 Jan 1945. 

In typical Frame fashion, life as a coalminer was next for Arthur. He began work at Hebburn No.1 Colliery on 1Mar 1945 and remained there until 1946 when he resigned to start working for South Maitland Railways. In his spare time, he studied bookkeeping and accountancy by correspondence and as he put it, led a wild life between 1945 and 1947! In 1947, he bowed to his mother Catherine’s wishes and decided to adopt a quieter lifestyle. He chose instead to focus his energy, along with that of some mates, into resurrecting the Weston Pagans Junior Rugby League Club. Arthur was appointed as Hon. Secretary for two years before deciding to take up the game of golf.

In 1950, Arthur was approached by one of the leading insurance companies and invited to become their area manager. Ruefully, Arthur admitted he rejected the idea on the advice of a friend! When Arthur’s uncle, insurance salesman Andrew Paterson Frame Jr., heard about his decision, he told Arthur he was very foolish because insurance was about to really take off – how right he was!

Arthur started to play golf in 1948 and joined the Kurri Kurri Golf Club. This interest led to him being given the nickname ‘Slogger’.  He soon became interested in club administration and was elected onto the committee. Arthur served terms as Captain, Vice-President and President. In 1954 when he was President, he organised a dance group from Cessnock to do a show at the club. The wardrobe mistress was Miss Sheila Coon, a lovely lady who captivated Arthur, and he determined to try to get to know her better! Arthur and Sheila became friends, and after courting for nearly two years Arthur proposed and Sheila accepted. Arthur asked Sheila’s father for her hand in marriage and he gave his blessing, but sadly passed away before the wedding was celebrated. 

Arthur and Sheila were married by Father Thomas Lynam at St Joseph’s Church Cessnock on 21 Sep 1957. They spent their honeymoon on the North Coast and made their home at 3 Matthew Street, Cessnock. They had three children: Cara, Anna and Paul. When discussing family with Arthur, he stated proudly that their children were an absolute joy for he and Sheila. All were successful in their chosen professions and to make their blessing complete, presented them with their wonderful grandchildren.

Like his father Edward and brother Mervyn, Arthur was a member of the Weston Volunteer Fire Brigade. He was also a member of Hunter Legacy (Kurri Contact Group) from 1946 to 1957 and also the R.S.L. However, he resigned from these organisations when he married and moved to Cessnock. In 1955, Arthur purchased his first motorcar which was an FJ Holden. This was the first motor vehicle to be owned by a member of his immediate family. He had numerous Holdens and Fords afterwards, including company cars. 

When Arthur was working at Cessnock Railway Station in 1958, he was approached to join the Board of the Hunter Medical Benefits Fund, which he did. In 1962, the then Managing Director died suddenly and Arthur was invited to take over as General Manager. After discussing the matter with Sheila, Arthur accepted the offer. In 1978, when HMBF merged with NIB Health Funds, Arthur became an Assistant General Manager of NIB, taking on the responsibility for company property, branches and agents. This meant he had to travel all over NSW and the ACT to visit branches, interview staff and inspect buildings. Arthur remained in that position until he retired on 2 Jul 1987. 

In 1959 whilst a member of Kurri Golf Club, Arthur was asked to assist the Hon. Secretary of the Hunter River District Golf Association who was in ill health, so Arthur became the Assistant Secretary. Soon after, the Hon. Secretary resigned and Arthur was elected to that position. Arthur retained that role until late in his life, as well as being appointed Treasurer and Public Officer which occurred when the Association was incorporated in 1994. The two positions were combined as Hon. Secretary/Treasurer.  Arthur believed that at the time, he was the longest serving Hon. Secretary of any Country Association that has been affiliated with the NSW Golf Association. Arthur resigned from the Kurri Golf Club due to the inconvenience of having to travel from Cessnock to Heddon Greta to play. He then joined Cessnock Golf Club. He spent some years on the Committee at Cessnock and also held the position of Vice President before resigning from executive roles.  

When Arthur first moved to Cessnock to live, he became active in church affairs. He spent several years on the Parish Council and a further three years (the maximum term) as President. He was also a member of the Parish Finance Committee. Arthur worked diligently raising cash in the planned giving system and for well over twenty years as Treasurer and one of the controllers of the parish housie. 

He joined the Cessnock branch of the Society of St Vincent de Paul 11 Feb 1967, was Secretary of the branch from 1976 to 1979, President from 1979 to 1982 and Treasurer from 1982 to 1991. He resigned from the Society 4 July 1991. Arthur was also a Lifetime Member of St Patrick’s Parents and Friends Association

In 1982, Arthur made a trip to Europe with a Rugby League tour. He travelled ahead of the group so he could tour Ireland, which he enjoyed immensely. The group also visited Scandinavia, Holland and France. During their life together, Arthur and Sheila visited New Zealand, Tasmania and all parts of Australia except the West. In 1986, they toured Great Britain and Europe with Trafalgar Tours.  

Arthur and Sheila continued to reside in their family home at Cessnock and Arthur mostly enjoyed good health. Unfortunately, in 1982 he lost the sight in his left eye due to a blood clot. He also experienced heart trouble in 1992, which was rectified by five bypasses. Arthur believed that by reaching his 80s, surviving World War II without injury, and experiencing as little illness as he has had during his life, then Someone up there, was looking after him!

Arthur’s wife, Sheila Coon Frame, died in Cessnock, NSW 29 Nov 2005, aged 82.  Arthur William Frame passed away in Cessnock on 10 Nov 2009, aged 87 years.