We were saddened to hear of the passing of George Franki. George was an enthusiastic researcher and a valued supporter of Mosman 1914- 1918: Doing Our Bit.
George Franki, settled in Mosman in 1962 with his family and lived here until the mid-1990s. He had served in the R.A.N. and A.R.A and was a member of the Mosman RSL Sub-Branch. George was also a Life Member of the Balmoral Beach Club and author of the regular report – The Frank Report . One of the beach club’s highlights of the beach club’s sporting calendar is The George Franki Biathlon.
A dedicated researcher his first major undertaking was on his club, The Balmoral Beach Club, 75 years, 1914-1989 followed by A history of dentistry in New South Wales, 1945-1995. He then turned his attention to the First World War with a local focus and wrote some important works including Their name liveth for evermore: Mosman’s dead in the Great War 1914-1918; Far from Mosman Oval: members of the Mosman Cricket Club who served in the war and those who did not return for a second innings; A district’s sorrow : North Sydney’s dead in the Great War 1914-1918 and St. Peter’s Presbyterian Church North Sydney honour roll Great War 1914-1918.
The book he co-wrote with Clyde Slatyer Mad Harry about Australia’s most decorated soldier is highly regarded and much sought after.
These Mosman resources and others can be found online at mosman1914-1918.net/project/resources.