Gwynfa Ernestine (Franklin) Platell (1916 - 2011)

Born 1 Jan 1916 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Ancestors

Wife of Bernhardt Francis Platell — married 18 Sep 1943 in Hamilton, Queensland, Australia

Died 2 Jan 2011 at age 95 in Beaudesert, Queensland, Australia

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Anonymous Franklin [send private message]

Biography

Gwynfa 'Tommy' Franklin was born in 1916, the youngest child of George Franklin and Clara Hafner. ^[1]

The family were living on their dairy farm at Eagle Farm, Whinstanes at the time of Tommy's birth. Times had not been easy since her father sustained severe head injuries 3 years earlier. ^{[2] [3]}

There are apparently a few different versions of how Tommy got her nickname. One is that when she was little, her mother would make large trays of scones for the dairy workers. When they'd come to get their smoko (morning tea) they'd ask, "And how is little Tommy Tit today?" (A Tomtit is an Australasian tiny bird). And the name stuck. ^[4]

In 1922, the family moved to 'Inglesbatch' / 'Englesbatch' on Schneider Rd at Eagle Farm. This house was built on the site of the former Convict Women's Prison and Factory. ^[5] Tommy drew a plan of the site that includes the location where convict leg irons were found. This plan survives. ^[6] There was later a newspaper article published here ^[7] and photographs here. ^[8]

It was also in 1922 that the Eagle Farm Aerodrome was constructed across the road from the farm. The Queensland Heritage Register reports that "The Eagle Farm Aerodrome, west of Schneider Road, was established by the Civil Aviation Branch of the Department of Defence in 1922 as the civilian landing ground for the city of Brisbane. Prior to this the 34 hectare site had been used for dairying by previous owners, David Wilson and William Lynn. Other dairy farms continued to operate nearby, most significantly that on the eastern side of Schneider Road on sub A allotment 4 portion 3, Parish of Toombul, County of Stanley which from 1922 was owned by George Franklin." ^[9] In 1927, QANTAS established the Brisbane Flying School at the Aerodrome (across the road from the dairy) and by late 1930, Queensland Air Navigation Ltd was running scheduled services. In 1931, flying ceased due to above average rainfall on the low-lying ground and the ground reverted to grazing. ^[10]

Tommy was awarded a scholarhip to attend Brisbane Girl's Grammar School. She was in Form III in 1930, when she won a Form III prize. ^[11] She also won the three-legged race at the BGGS Sports Day that year! ^[12] However it was also in this same year that Tommy's father George died from complications of the head injury, leaving her mother and eldest brother Mervyn (now aged 26) to run the farm.

She played violin, her achievements published in the newspaper. She won a prize for Theory in 1932.

Tommy continued at Brisbane Girl's Grammar School and in 1932, was awarded a two year extension to her scholarship.

Some of her performances at events were published, here at a recital in 1930, at a Coming of Age party in Hamilton and a recital in 1933.

Tommy achieved her A.T.C.L.(equivalent of AMusA) in violin and passed the art of teaching exam in 1935. ^[13]

After leaving school, Tommy trained as a teacher. In 1937, she was working as a teacher in Bromelton, Beaudesert area, where she was to meet her her future husband. ^[14]

She attended balls and social events, including the Church of England Ball in 1937 and the Ambulance Ball in 1939 where she won the spot waltz. She and her sister Mavis visited their cousin in Townsvillle in 1938.

Tommy married Bernard Platell on Saturday 18 September 1943 at Hamilton Methodist Church. Details of the wedding and her beautiful outfit can be seen here. ^[15]

Following their marriage, they lived at Illbogan, where Tommy's husband Bernard was a farmer. ^[16] Tommy and Bernard had three children and lived in the area until Bernard's death age 60, when Tommy moved into Beaudesert.

Tommy lived a long life and passed away the day after her 95th birthday at Wongaburra Nursing Home (Beaudesert) on 2 January 2011. Her funeral notice can be seen at this link. Her gravestone can be seen at this link.

Sources

1. ↑ Australia, Birth Index, 1788-1922. Name: Gwinfa Ernestine Franklin; Birth Date: 1 Jan 1916; Birth Place: Queensland; Registration Year: 1916; Registration Place: Queensland, Australia; Father: George Franklin; Mother: Clara Maria Hafner; Registration Number: B043199.
2. ↑ Collision with Tram-Car. (1913, December 11). Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld. : 1909 - 1954), p. 6 (Daily). Retrieved May 11, 2022, from [1]
3. ↑ TRAM AND SULKY. (1913, December 11). Daily Standard (Brisbane, Qld. : 1912 - 1936), p. 6 (SECOND EDITION). Retrieved May 11, 2022, from [2]
4. ↑ Story from her nephew Tom.
5. ↑ link title[3]
6. ↑ Family records
7. ↑ BRISBANE'S HISTORIC HOMES. (1932, November 17). The Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939), p. 34. Retrieved September 28, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article23153789
8. ↑ ARMISTICE DAY IN BRISBANE. (1932, November 17). The Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939), p. 28. Retrieved September 28, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article23153792
9. ↑ "Allison Testing Stands (former) (entry 602329)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. From [4] Retrieved 28 Sep 2022.
10. ↑ "Allison Testing Stands (former) (entry 602329)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. From [5] Retrieved 28 Sep 2022.
11. ↑ SPEECH DAY. BRISBANE GRAMMAR SCHOOLS. (1930, December 13). The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), p. 7. Retrieved November 27, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article21614005
12. ↑ Girl Athletes (1930, August 23). The Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), p. 3. Retrieved November 27, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197645572
13. ↑ "TRINITY COLLEGE OF MUSIC, LONDON" The Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947) 26 February 1935: 8 (CITY FINAL LAST MINUTE NEWS). Web. 29 Nov 2022 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article182003456>.
14. ↑ Australia, Electoral Rolls, 1903-1980. Name: Gwynfa Ernestine Franklin; Gender: Female; Electoral Date: 1937; Electoral Place: Beaudesert, Moreton, Queensland, Australia.
15. ↑ WEDDINGS (1943, October 22). The Beaudesert Times (Qld. : 1908 - 1954), p. 6. Retrieved November 27, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article216160463
16. ↑ Australia, Electoral Rolls, 1903-1980. Name: Gwynfa Ernestine Platell; Gender: Female; Electoral Date: 1949; Electoral Place: Beaudesert, McPherson, Queensland, Australia.