My name is Steve Martin, and I am here to pay tribute to a man who made today possible, Frank Oakley Simmons. Not long ago, I received a copy of Frank’s memoirs. It makes for sobering reading.
Frank Oakley was born in Fitzroy Victoria on the 7th June 1921. Given up by his mother for adoption, he was made a ward of the state soon after his birth. Frank never knew his real family. He was fostered at the age of three months by the only real mother he knew, Mrs Mary Anne Simmons.
Raised in the hard scrabble of what was then considered a low income and undesirable location, North Fitzroy in the 1920’s and into the depression years of the 30’s became Franks stomping grounds. Life was hard for a man of mixed race, both at school and in the early working years. It was during these formative years that Frank developed a strong moral compass, a desire to see natural justice and his sense of fairness and respect developed. They were hard won.
It was only after years of questions and research that Frank discovered he had Jamaican and / or African American ancestors who came to Australia in the late 1800’s or early 1900’s, but unfortunately details remained scarce.
After Frank left school, he had many jobs, most of which entailed heavy menial labour and long days. It was during the Depression years that Frank joined the Citizens Militia, rising to the rank of Corporal.
With the outbreak of WWII, Frank enlisted for full time service in 1941, transferring from the Militia to the AIF and although he wanted to go to an Infantry Battalion to be with his mates, the Army decided it was to be the Artillery for young Bombadier Simmons.
On the way to the Middle East in June 1941, an altercation with a young officer on board his troop ship the ‘Queen Mary’ was to ultimately see him reduced in rank to Gunner. Not his first or last brush with authority!
On arrival in Egypt Frank became the Gun-layer on a 25 lb. artillery piece in the 2/8 Australian Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery (RAA). Frank and some of his Regiment were posted across to the 6th Division AIF and he served in Palestine, Lebanon and Syria - it was during this campaign that Frank received serious burns.
Frank and his mates rejoined their parent unit in 1942, now with the 9th Division, 2nd Australian Imperial Force in Egypt. Frank would go on to participate as a gunner during the intense series of battles known as El Alamein. Frank’s regiment were engaged in the fiercest of the fighting on Ruweisat Ridge and his unit suffered the highest casualty rate of all artillery regiments involved. Frank didn’t talk much about this time.
Later in the war, Frank traded his artillery piece for a Bren gun and fought with his unit on the island of Labuan and in Brunei during operation ‘Oboe’. At wars end, Frank was finally demobilized and returned to Fitzroy.
After many more short-term jobs in both the construction industry and trucking, Frank travelled to Darwin as a truck driver and store man for a period of three months in 1961. He never left.
Taking on several jobs in both the private sector and Government, Frank grew to love the laid-back nature of Darwin and its people. It was here that Frank blossomed.
In 1965, Frank joined what was then the NT Civil Defence and Emergency Services and later in 1967 joined the St John Ambulance Service, rising through the ranks to become a training officer and Inspector of cadets.
In 1974, Frank happened to be the sole operator on the Emergency Services telephone switchboard when cyclone Tracy struck on Christmas eve.
By this time, Frank had built his own house in Yeadon Circuit, Moil. His skill as a builder became evident when one of the most iconic photographs of the aftermath of the cyclone, a photo taken from the water tower on Parer Drive west towards the Casuarina High School showed Franks home still standing and mostly intact (left of image) amongst the wreckage of the entire suburb.
It was during the early 1980’s that I got to know Frank. It was through a local cadet unit called the ‘Legion of Frontiersmen’, which Frank helped run. It was during this time that he became a great mentor, not just to me, but to dozens of other young people of my generation here in Darwin.
There are at least five others with us here in the audience today and we are proud to be part of ‘Simmo’s mob’.
You will notice a recurring theme in this speech. Following the war, Frank lived a life of service - he gave freely of his time, his knowledge, his patience and his efforts. He asked for nothing in return. I came to know Frank as a man of integrity, of fierce loyalty, of compassion, dignity and respect. He was an Honourable man.
Amongst my cohort, many came from homes like mine with hard working, good loving families and a stable life. We were there for the adventure of the cadets. Many however were not so fortunate. Frank understood them.
To many, Frank became a father figure; a man of wisdom who offered support and a respect that they not known, a place of belonging and safety, a place of comfort and solace and a place of hope. A place where their damaged lives were given new meaning. I saw this often.
Franks example rubbed off. ‘Simmo’s mob’ are professionals, successful business owners, senior fire fighters, youth leaders, members of the legal fraternity, police officers, tradies, mothers and fathers and many have served in our defence forces. They are all mentors and exemplars in the own right and continue to contribute to the wellbeing of our society here in the Northern Territory and elsewhere- thanks, Simmo.
Frank joined NT Legacy in the 1970’s and he epitomized the ethos of the Legatee, always getting things done in the background without desire for acknowledgement or reward, using his bus to transport families of the fallen to events and activities, always seeing an urgent minor repair to the building and fixing it, performing maintenance and logistical support.
He is remembered as the Legatee that just got things done. Frank remained a Legatee until his passing. When Frank passed away in 1995, he had no known relatives and he bequeathed his house to Legacy NT.
It is fitting therefore that today we dedicate this room to Frank Oakley Simmons - let it be that place of wisdom, of belonging, safety and support, that place of comfort and solace and that place of hope.
Gunner Frank Oakley Simmons VX 51569
Ave Atqe Vale
You are not forgotten ~ Lest we forget
In the presence of, His Honour, the Administrator of the Northern Territory, Mr Hugh Hege AO, PSM, Ms Jones, former Administrator of the Northern Territory, Mr John Anictomatis AO, heads of service of the Australian Defence Force, families of the fallen, serving men and women, fellow Legatee’s and distinguished guests.